{Hiccup's POV}
Gods I was dreading this so much but I'd already said I would be there so I couldn't very well back out of it. Snotlout and Gobber would likely hunt me down and drag me back if I didn't show up. Today was the day we left Fury Isle again to go to Berk for Snotlout's chief ceremony, I was happy for him of course. He showed a lot of promise as a chief especially with how he handled the raid, even though he called me for help but he still called for help instead of resorting to the old ways. I was proud of him for that, he deserved to be chief. He trained hard with me those two weeks during the rebuild when those 14 members of the Hooligan tribe stayed with me. I'd been trying to prepare myself for this trip the last week and I still wasn't ready to do it. I knew I'd have to see and face Stoick though I didn't want too. I dreaded that more than the return alone.
Fishlegs now had his own house on the island, small with two rooms and a stable for Meatlug. She could also fit inside his house for stormy nights, and his training was going exceptional, I looked in on it a few times while on patrol. Now that we were back home the last few weeks had been hard for Sylvi to not have Rosethorn with her anymore, and she wasn't ready to fly on her own yet. I respected that, I don't know what I would do if I lost Toothless. And that was something else I had to face on Berk. Astrid, and the twins wanting to join my tribe and become riders. I still hadn't decided if they could or couldn't, I hoped I figured it out before I got there because I know they'd as. I sighed checking over everything for the trip. Sylvi was dropping Thurmond and the twins off with their grandparents for this trip, it would be easier if they stayed home.
"Chief?" I heard Fishlegs say softly, I looked over after strapping a bedroll to Toothless's back.
"What's up Fishlegs?" I ask him.
"I was...wondering if I could come too?" Fishlegs asked nervously, I stood up straight now. "I wanted to see Snotlout get...made chief...If its okay with you that I go?"
"You're not permitted to fly yet..." I stated, I saw him look down. "I suppose you can fly with Viggo or Ryker. Are you packed up because we leave in 10 minutes."
"I will be ready in 5 sir!" Fishlegs rushed off to his house to get packed for the trip. I only shook my head at his excitement while Sylvi came over smiling a bit.
"Well he's happy." She said.
"I told him he could come with us for the ceremony. He'll ride with Viggo or Ryker." I smile, "You ready?"
"Of course I am. The kids are all set too." Sylvi replied, I nodded as Viggo and Ryker landed with their dragons and Gunnar came over.
"Alright, Viggo or Ryker. Which one of you wants to have a carry on?" I ask, they blinked at me. "Fishlegs is a last minute add on. Which of you won't mind having him ride with you?"
"Oh. I'll take him sir." Ryker offered.
"And I'll take him on the return trip." Viggo nodded.
"Good, Gunner? You sure you got this again?" I ask.
"Its not hard chief, everyone knows what they are supposed to do anyway. We'll be fine a week or so, don't worry about a thing." Gunnar smiled at me. Fishlegs rushed over with a bag now, Ryker took it and attached it to Blazewing.
"You're riding with me." Ryker informed him, Fishlegs nodded and walked over with him to his Nightmare.
"Alright then, if we're set then its wings up gang." I said getting on Toothless and Sylvi climbing up behind me. Viggo got on Sparkburn while Ryker and Fishlegs mounted Blazewing. I gave the command with my hand and we were all up in the air.
"Uh chief...I think we have an add on." Viggo said, I looked back and saw Nightstar following us.
"I think she wants to come too." Sylvi giggled.
"You wanna come, Nightstar?" I asked the Night Fury, she gave a gummy smile. "Alright then. To Berk we go!" I announce and sure enough that is exactly where we headed.
(3 Days Later)
{Regular POV}
They were close to Berk, it was about 20 minutes away. Hiccup could already see it from his spyglass and was less than thrilled of be back again so soon. The time of day was a little after noon, they'd be arriving shortly. "You hanging in there?" Sylvi asked softly.
"Yeah...I'm fine..." I mumbled, she hugged me tightly. The fly was mostly quiet as we reached Berk finally and as expected when Hiccup hovered over the village, it started a crowd forming all wondering what was going on. Stoick pushed his way to the front, then Snotlout beside him along with his mother.
"Hiccup..." Stoick whispered.
"I'm not here for you...Am I good to land, Snotlout?" Hiccup called to his cousin.
"Heck yeah." Snotlout said walking closer. Hiccup landed toothless and got off him, then helped Sylvi down. Nightstar landed beside Toothless then Blazewing and Sparkburn landed down behind them and let Ryker, Viggo, and Fishlegs down. "I'm glad you could make it." Snotlout shook his hand.
"Wouldn't miss this. Where's the old man?" Hiccup chuckled, Gobber forced his way through and hugged Hiccup tightly.
"LAD! I'm so glad you're back! I've been counting down the days since Snotlout showed me yer letter!" Gobber practically cried.
"Easy, Gobber...I'm still a twig over here...You'll break me." Hiccup laughed as he hugged Gobber back, he pulled away then gave Sylvi a lighter hug.
"Wait, you two knew he was coming?" Valka questioned.
"I sent Hiccup a letter through Johann a month ago, inviting him to my chief ceremony...He replied 2 weeks later saying he would come." Snotlout said.
"And you didn't think to tell me?" Stoick asked.
"I asked him to only tell Gobber...Again, I'm not here for you." Hiccup said coldly. Stoick looked down now.
"Come with me, I've prepared your stay area in my house. Room for all of ya." Snotlout smiled, Hiccup nodded as he followed with Sylvi then Viggo, Ryker, and Fishlegs too.
"Appreciate it, Snotlout but we could of stayed in the cove like last time." Hiccup replied while walking.
"Nonsense. You're a visiting chief so you'll be treated with the best of Berk's accommodations while you're here. I've seen to everything." Snotlout smiled reaching his house, he opened the door and led them inside. "Alright there's two rooms down her, another upstairs. These two are smaller but I put in an extra bed for your guards. The room upstairs would be best for you and your wife, double bed. Fishlegs you can either sleep here or at your old house my friend." Snotlout said to him.
"I'll stay with my tribe, Snotlout. Thanks..." Fishlegs smiled.
"Well just make yourselves comfortable, your dragons can stay in the barn outback. I put up some walls to give it a homey feel." Snotlout smiled back.
"You didn't have to do all this." Sylvi said gently. "But thank you."
"Its my pleasure, chieftess Sylvi and chief Hiccup." Snotlout smiled to them. "If you'd like to get some sleep, I'm sure you had a long flight. I'll lead you upstairs." Snotlout said to them.
"Thank you, Snotlout." Hiccup stated with a nod, Snotlout led them up the stairs to the room they'd be using. "If you need anything, just let me know." Snotlout exited the room closing the door and leaving them be. "Well, he's certainly matured a lot."
"He'll be a fine chief." Sylvi smiled. "Just like you are." She stroked him cheek lightly.
"Tired?" Hiccup asked her. She shook her head. There was a knock, Snotlout came back in.
"Your mom wants to see you." He said. Hiccup sighed as he nodded.
"Stay with Ryker or Viggo if you decide to wander around." Sylvi smiled kissing his cheek as he left the house going to meet his mother outside.
(An Hour Later)
Sylvi was bored sitting in the house, Fishlegs was visiting his friends while Ryker and Viggo were downstairs relaxing. She sighed and got up leaving the room, she moved downstairs where Viggo and Ryker stood up quickly bowing to her. "Guys, what have we talked about..." Sylvi said.
"No...bowing chieftess. But the chief likes us too..." Ryker replied.
"Well he isn't here so you don't have too." Sylvi smiled, they nodded to her. "I'm going for a walk and since my husband will flip if one of you aren't with me...Who wants to be the volunteer?" Sylvi asked.
"He actually told both of us to be with you so..." Viggo trailed, Sylvi sighed at her husband's over protectiveness but nodded as she moved outside with them and looked around gently then begins walking, as she did she noticed Nightstar following her. Toothless must have been with Hiccup talking to Valka. Sylvi kept walking then stopped as she looked back at the dragon following her.
"You okay, Nightstar...?" Sylvi asked her softly, the dragon crooned lowly. "You miss Toothless don't you?" The dragon nodded. "That's okay, I miss Hiccup...Guess we can keep each other company then, want to walk with me?" Sylvi asked, the dragon licked her cheek and jumped around once. "Okay, come on then." They began walking again.
(With Hiccup & Valka)
"Mother, I do not care. Yes I got your letter, yes I read it. But no, I don't believe he's changed at all or ever will!" Hiccup grumbled, Toothless huffed to add effect to the frustration. It had been going on an hour now, his mother trying to convince him to talk to Stoick about the night of the raid.
"Hiccup please! Just talk to him, you don't know the whole story..." Valka tried.
"Mother, enough!" Hiccup yelled, she stepped back with tears in her eyes. Hiccup took a deep breath, "I did not come back here to talk to him, or make amends, or anything. I came back here for Snotlout's chief ceremony, and discuss business with him once he's chief. I know you believe and trust that man but I do not. You were not there when I grew up, you didn't see how he 'raised' me. You were gone for 18 years mom, you can't say you know him anymore than I can."
"Hiccup that's not fair to use against me, you know why I left!" Valka sobbed.
"Because Cloud Jumper took you. You were taken mother, and then chose not to return. I know that story, so why don't you tell me why you chose to stay away hm?" Hiccup asked. Valka bit her lip a bit and looked down. "Come on, lets hear it."
"I...I chose not to come back...because I knew your...father wouldn't change. Because he would hurt Cloud Jumper..." Valka closed her eyes.
"Exactly. You stayed away by choice because you knew he wouldn't change. You stayed away for the same reason I decided to leave. Because you knew he wouldn't change no matter what, he would always see it his way. I exiled myself from Berk because I knew the same thing and Toothless wouldn't of been safe, I did what I had to to protect him. Just as you did to protect Cloud Jumper. You believed peace was possible, just as I do. But Stoick...will never change mother. You know that...You saw it with your own eyes. I stand by what I said, I will never forgive him for what he did. So don't you tell me that you know he's changed when he betrayed you the same way he betrayed me. By lying to us." Hiccup stated coldly.
Valka said nothing, she just cried as Hiccup prepared to leave. "I know what you want to believe, mother...But some people aren't capable of change. Some of us were just born different. You told me that when I found you that day. I showed Stoick the truth, he saw it with his own eyes and all he did was play us like fools. I won't be the fool a second time...You believe what you want to believe. You keep believing the illusion and I'll believe what I see with my own eyes. I am done with this conversation." Hiccup left with Toothless now.
Now outside, Hiccup took a breath to calm himself down. He didn't want to yell at her but he was firm on this one. He wouldn't forgive Stoick. Not this time. Hiccup looked down and saw Sylvi walking with Nightstar, Viggo, and Ryker. He smiled a bit, at least she was safe. Hiccup climbed on Toothless's back and they took to the sky, he need to clear his head. With Sylvi, she sighed out. She saw Hiccup fly off on Toothless, Nightstar whimpered a bit as Sylvi rubbed her head. "Its okay, they'll be back soon." The dragon nuzzled her side with a smile.
"I think she's taking a liking to you chieftess." Ryker stated.
"Seems that way." Sylvi smiled softly as the dragon crooned at her nuzzling her hand. Sylvi stared at Nightstar now, she was a beautiful dragon and a Night Fury too. Sylvi was sure that Toothless and Nightstar would mate when the next season hit, might be a chance to save the Night Fury species. Sylvi took a few steps back from Nightstar now as Viggo and Ryker watched her, Sylvi took a deep breath as she put her hand out to Nightstar and the dragon growled at her a bit. It had been worth trying, but Nightstar was obviously still iffy about people. She must of thought a hand out meant she'd be hurt and that broke Sylvi's heart to think about. But there was something she hadn't tried...
Hiccup returned with Toothless, they hovered over watching the scene of Sylvi with Nightstar. When Hiccup saw Sylvi stand up straight and turn her head away he understood what she was doing. Sylvi slowly put her hand out as Nightstar stared at it before pressing her nose to Sylvi's palm with her own eyes closed. Hiccup's mouth dropped open, she just...bonded with Nightstar! Hiccup landed as Sylvi put her hand down when Nightstar pulled away from it. "Babe...Do you realize what you just did?" Hiccup asked.
"I-I bonded...with her..." Sylvi said in shock herself. Nightstar smiled at her now and turned offering to get on her back, Sylvi backed up a little and ran into Hiccup, she looked up at him then just cried against him. "I can't...I can't do it, Hiccup...I...Rosethorn...I miss Rosethorn...I want her back..." Hiccup had assumed this might happen, he wrapped his arms around her tightly as she cried against his chest.
"Ssh babe...I know...But I can't...bring her back..." Hiccup looked at Toothless and he understood to let Nightstar know what happened. Hiccup picked Sylvi up bridal style and carried her back to Snotlout's house, Viggo and Ryker following still. Snotlout saw Sylvi upset and got worried. Hiccup took Sylvi up to the room and laid her down, she fell to sleep about 20 minutes later and Hiccup returned downstairs.
"Is she alright?" Snotlout asked quickly.
"Yes. She...unintentionally bonded with Nightstar...But its still just to soon for her from losing Rosethorn..." Hiccup sighed.
"That's gotta be hard...I hope she'll be okay." Snotlout said.
"She will in time. When is your ceremony?" Hiccup asked him.
"Tomorrow afternoon. Is the ceremony hard?" Snotlout looked at him.
"Not really, you just stand there and take an oath to protect your tribe. That's all mine was." Hiccup replied.
"You think I'll make a good chief, Hiccup?..." Snotlout asked looking down, Hiccup put his hand on his shoulder.
"Yes. I'm think you'll make a great one. You just have to believe in yourself, I've told you before. You won't be perfect, and you'll do things that make them not like you but they will turn to you when they have too. And they will respect you no matter what. You can't be afraid to mess up, or be light on them. They have to know you're the boss, and soon or later things for you will be like how they are for me. Where its easy going, and simple." Hiccup told him with a smile.
"Thanks Hiccup..." Snotlout smiled back. The two continued talking for a while downstairs. Upstairs Sylvi was awake and laying there wondering what to do. She bonded with Nightstar so soon but she wasn't ready to fly again, not by herself at least. But that wasn't fair to Nightstar, to shun her because because Sylvi missed Rosethorn.
'I have to do it...' Sylvi thought as she got up and snuck outside by jumping out the window and landing, she walked to Nightstar sitting in the stable. "Hey girl...I'm sorry about before...Do you want to go flying?" Sylvi asked her. Nightstar jumped up happily. "Okay we will, but ssh..." Sylvi hushed her as she got Toothless's saddle off the wall and positioned it on Nightstar minus the tail connections. Sylvi climbed on and positioned her feet, "Alright girl...Be easy with me..." Sylvi asked, Nightstar gave a throaty chuckle and darted off. Oh Gods she loved it so much too, now she knew why Hiccup loved to fly on Toothless so much, this was amazing.
(Two Hours Later)
Hiccup and Snotlout had been talking a while, even Astrid, the twins and Fishlegs came over. He finally got up, "I'm gonna check on Syl..." Hiccup said, he moved upstairs and checked the room but she wasn't in the bed. "Syl?" He said looking around, nothing. "Sylvi." He said louder. It wasn't like her to leave without saying anything. "Viggo! Ryker!" Hiccup called out, they rushed out as Hiccup came down the stairs.
"What's wrong chief!" They asked.
"Sylvi's gone! She's not in the room, I can't find her...Toothless!" Hiccup rushed outside, he went to get Toothless's saddle but it was gone. "Where's...your saddle, Toothless?" Hiccup asked.
"We'll search the skies for you." Viggo and Ryker mounted their dragons and took off. Hiccup was worried, where could she of gone. Nightstar was missing too. He didn't like this.
"Don't worry, Hiccup...We'll find her." Snotlout said to him. After another 30 minutes, Viggo and Ryker returned, Hiccup was in front of them instantly.
"Anything?" Hiccup asked panicked.
"I'm...sorry chief. We couldn't find her...We checked everywhere in a 5 mile radius of Berk...No sign of her or Nightstar." Ryker answered. Hiccup growled out becoming angry now, he couldn't even go look for her without Toothless's saddle. He stared up at the sky now.
"Syl...Where are you?..." He whispered worried. Then something hit him, he had Toothless's rig just not the saddle. If he had a saddle to attach it too...He could fly. "Viggo, Ryker...One of you give me your saddles..." Hiccup said, Viggo unhooked his and gave it to Hiccup, he assembled everyone on Toothless and tested the pedal. "It'll get us in the air...Lets go bud!" Hiccup climbed on his back, Toothless launched into the sky and hovered a moment. "Alright Toothless, do it!" Hiccup ordered, Toothless opened his mouth and let out a loud screech. His ears twitched about facing West, Hiccup looked ahead and saw a black dot coming towards them, it was Sylvi and Nightstar, she was riding her. His eyes widened. She was riding Nightstar!
"Hiccup!" Sylvi called to him. Hiccup landed as she did and he rushed over to her, she shakily got off Nightstar and barely stood up.
"Do you have any idea how worried I've been! What were you thinking?..." Hiccup asked quickly holding her up. She was panting, looking terrified.
"Hiccup...We...have a major problem..." Sylvi forced out before she completely passed out in his arms leaving Hiccup only scared for his wife and wondering what the hell happened to scare her that much.
"Come on, lets get her to Gothi..." Snotlout said, Hiccup didn't debate it. He rushed holding Sylvi's unconscious form in his arms to get to Gothi's hut. He just wanted her to be okay.