A/N: And we return to Berk, where Stoick has a s**t ton of stuff to sort out...

This Time for Sure

Chapter 4: Once More

Stoick looked over the Berkians as they gathered in the Great Hall. It seemed there were several different reactions to watching a young Berkian maiden surrender herself willingly to the enemy to protect her partner in battle. None of which he was looking forward to dealing with. He went over his speech in his head, knowing that none of what he was about to say would be easy. But he knew he had to. He knew that one incident was enough to make a Viking angry. Two incidents were enough to make a Viking mad. But three was enough to make a Viking worried. And among the anxious-looking people gathering in the hall, he managed to catch the glares of the remaining dragon riders. Even the normally cheerful twins looked ready to punch someone – and not just for the fun of it. And the chief had to admit he couldn't blame them.

"Chief, I do hope you've got something in mind to calm them all down," Came Gobber's voice from behind him. "These ransoms are really harming morale. If something doesn't change soon, people might start doubting your leadership – not that I ever would, of course. Other people. But Ruffnut and Tuffnut look ready to start a riot," Stoick sighed.

"I know, Gobber. I have a plan,"

"You said that last time,"

"Trust me on this one. This is Hiccup and Astrid we're talking about. Viggo doesn't know what's coming for him," The two held each other's gazes for a moment and both could see the worry in each other's eyes.

"Alright, chief, I'm all ears," Gobber said and Stoick nodded thankfully at his best friend's support. "Listen up, folks!" He shouted to the now full Great Hall as he hobbled away.

"My fellow Berkians! I know these are trying times. It looks like Viggo has our island, our people and our property in his clasp. None of us wants to lose the heir of Berk just as none of us wants to surrender to the enemy. But we're Vikings, we will get through this tough situation and overcome. We won't go down without a fight!" The cheers that sounded were considerably fewer than they had been during the chief's last speech, which didn't go unnoticed. Stoick tried not to get side-tracked by the sight of Snotlout snorting out of the corner of his eye. "And fight we will. I have a plan, and it's about time I told you. None of us knows who the Hunters will demand next. But we can guess and be prepared. The Dragon Riders, the A-team, anyone who has ever joined us in battle against them. You could be next,"

Voices started to whisper in the hall, just as Stoick expected. The words he was saying weren't easy ones.

"But, chief, what about you?" Fishlegs' voice rose over the sound of anxious murmurs, and every Berkian turned to face the chief again as silence fell. Stoick's lips pursed into a thin line.

"Aye, Fishlegs, I could be next too. Should that happen, I trust that the rest of the council will be able to take over leadership. Gobber and Spitelout will be joint acting chiefs. You'll be in safe hands until this ordeal is over. But…" He paused, and pin-drop silence reigned for tedious seconds. "The next Viking to go will be ready to rescue Hiccup and Astrid. Everyone will be supplied hidden weapons – including Changewing acid – in order to escape and find the two dragon riders. We will have a Terror follow the ship so that communication can take place and you can be helped back home. Berk will be free from the Dragon Hunters clutches for good!" The cheers that resounded and echoed from the stone walls were the loudest the chief had heard in years and he couldn't help but smile proudly at his people. Even Snotlout and the other riders were nodding in agreement. He had done it.

"Good work, friend. I never doubted you," Gobber patted him on the back as he started to walk out of the hall.

"Of course, you didn't. Now, why not start gathering up the daggers and small flasks from the forge?" He laughed in reply.

"Aye, aye, sir!" Gobber saluted and hobbled off. And the moment he was out of sight, Stoick's face fell.

Oh, Hiccup. Be safe out there.

As the light started to stream into Hiccup's cell and his eyes started to open, he immediately felt the way the ship rocked against the wind and knew they had turned back to Berk without so much as a pit-stop. It would soon be time for the next ransom.

Hiccup moaned as he sat up, avoiding pressure on his bad shoulder. He leant against the back wall of the cell and rubbed the crystallised tears out of his eyes, somehow feeling just as tired as when he had fallen asleep in the first place. But he knew he would only have a few more moments in peace.

And as he had expected, a few moments later the healer unlocked his cell and entered.

"Hold still," Were the only words that left the Hunter's mouth as he began to redo the bandages on Hiccup's shoulder just like every morning. There was never word exchange between the two men. Hiccup had tried to initiate a conversation on the first visit after he was stabbed, but his attempts had been fruitless. He wondered what sort of treatment Viggo had given them to stop them talking.

After a few pained groans and tedious minutes, the healer left as silently as he had come, locking the cell behind him as he did so. Then Hiccup waited for the delight of Ryker's visit and all of sudden he regretted not asking Viggo for the chamber pot last night.

Sure enough, not even ten minutes had passed before the burly man appeared outside the dragon-proof bars.

"Morning Hiccup," He greeted, then frowned when Hiccup didn't respond. "No response? Nothing to entertain me? You used to be so quick-mouthed." After a few more moments only filled by a half-hearted glare in his captor's direction, Ryker shrugged and started gulping down the water in the jug. Hiccup tried desperately not to stare at the bread and keep his eyes fixed on his captor, but the smell wafted into his cell and caused the grumbling emptiness in his stomach to become even more noticeable.

"You want this?" Ryker asked, smirking as he took the jug from his lips. He held it up and shook it gently, letting the little liquid that remained slosh around. Hiccup only continued to scowl, fed up with these games. The Grimborn reached an arm to pass the jug to him, but just as Hiccup got up to take it, it was thrown towards the back wall. Hiccup's quick reflexes allowed him to catch it above his head, but the speed of action sent jolts of pain down his arm from his right shoulder, making him hiss in agony. And to make matters worse, the remaining water splashed onto his face and started to drip down his tunic. Great. Just what I needed to entertain Ryker…

Ryker laughed at the dragon rider's spluttering, passing the bread and chamber pot through the cell gate without further comments, though his steady eyes never left him. And the guards gathering around his cell as the minutes ticked by was his cue that it was time go, so Hiccup reluctantly finished up.

"Out you come," Ryker said as he unlocked the cell, gripping both of the Rider's upper arms and pushing him forward up onto the deck. Outside it was marvellous weather, the sun was shining brilliantly as a slight breeze ruffled his hair. But all Hiccup could focus on was the little dot on the horizon that was Berk. He spotted the dragon proof cage with chains dangling where his wrists would soon be and groaned internally. A Hunter opened it and let the door swing open as Ryker unlocked his manacles and pushed him in, roughly grabbing his arms to wrap the chains around them.

"You used to put up a fight," Ryker chuckled, earning a scowl from Hiccup.

"Even an infant learns the most important lessons eventually," Came Viggo's voice as he approached from the bow of the ship. Hiccup opened his mouth to object to the insulting analogy, but Ryker chose that moment to wrap the gag around his mouth. "We'll be there soon, dear Hiccup, don't you worry," The younger brother mocked a sympathetic look until his gaze fell on his left leg. "And take off his prosthetic." He ordered Ryker as he ambled off, hands held behind his back, ever proud.

And as Berk drew closer and closer, Hiccup sighed, trying with all his might not to look as hopeless as he felt.

When the Hunters' ships approached the Berkian docks for the third day in a row, Stoick didn't think he'd ever felt much tenser than how he did now. He stood next to the remaining dragon riders and Gobber, with a face of steel.

"This will be the last time we let them dock on our shores," He heard Gobber mutter.

"Aye. That it is," Stoick replied, watching Hiccup's cage come close enough to see clearly. His son was restrained identically to the previous day, and his gaze seemed fixed on him.

"Have you got the acid?" Gobber asked, patting the tiny bottle in his own pocket. One of the villagers had been kind enough to make flat flasks that were barely noticeable when tucked under layers of clothing.

"Of course. Why do you need to ask?"

"Hiccup's staring at you. He doesn't look too happy. Do you think he knows?" The blacksmith replied, nodding towards the heir. Stoick followed his gaze, realising that he was right.

"Why would Viggo reveal all that to his enemy?"

"Well, it's not like the lad can say much about it," Gobber mumbled, none too happy to say such glum words but knowing he had a point.

Stoick grunted, feeling his hands ball up into fists. Beside him, he heard the soft crooning of Toothless and he looked down the meet the dragon's wide eyes. If it wasn't for the Hunter ships that would dock within a few minutes, he would have given the dragon a hug. It had been something he had started doing ever since the Riders' return without Hiccup but now was not the time. Gobber had been right – Hiccup had been staring at him. And meant that one thing was highly likely. Stoick was already preparing himself for that.

But as the lead vessel stopped next to the pier and the gangway was lowered so that Viggo, Ryker and some other hunters could come onto Berk's land, Stoick could only focus on Hiccup. As his father, Stoick had seen Hiccup with many an injury – even to the point of week-long coma back when the Red Death had almost got him killed. But nothing compared to the look of hopelessness that was in Hiccup's eyes as he stared back at him. Stoick had to admit that that look hurt him more than any other injury had. If only he knew.

"… I demand Stoick the Vast, chief of Berk!" Were the words from Viggo's mouth that brought Stoick back to reality. He had clearly missed everything the Hunter had said, but the roars of protest that broke out from the crowd behind him were tell-tale signs. But his gaze was still focused on Hiccup, who was sorrowfully shaking his head. However, it was Viggo's next words that surprised him. "And Toothless, Hiccup's Night Fury!" Stoick looked down at the dragon in surprise, who looked back at him with wide but determined eyes. The burly Viking couldn't help smiling at the silent promise that chief and dragon made to each other – it was their job now to get Hiccup back and they would succeed.

So, as they both walked towards the gangway where soldiers were waiting with muzzles, chains and all, Stoick shot one last reassuring glance to Gobber and Riders. Toothless growled as the Hunters bound his mouth together and started to drag him towards the hatch that would take him below deck and Stoick let his wrists be chained without protest. He looked at Hiccup, wishing he could tell his son the plan to wipe that hopeless look off his face. But that time would come later.

For now, he looked comfortingly at his boy, arms chained and mouth gagged and did the one thing he hoped would let him know that they hadn't lost quite yet.

He winked at him. And then the Hunters pushed him below deck and out of sight.

A/N: And we are officially half-way through! Let me know in the reviews what you think (reviews make my day!) and I shall see you guys again on Monday!

'Til then!

~httydfangirl123