A few things to say before we start,

I found myself in the Harry Potter section in Fanfiction for the first time and it took me a very long time to get out, there was just so many damn words.

To those who had forgotten what the core plot was, there is a quick recap in chapter 12 so would only need to read one chapter instead of reading from the start.

Dreamland: Elsa is dreaming of Hiccup pasts, Elsa cannot influence the past and she is restricted to Hiccup's POV. Keep this in mind as the readers will not be restricted to this pov, because I suck at writing. We will not be spending anytime with Hiccup's childhood and go straight into the heart of plot which takes place after HTTYD 2 and 3.

Title: I will be leaving this chapter purposely untitled for awhile to indicate that this chapter is the start of the second half.

To Kuroneko nnch: No sappy love story, the second half will be more action oriented which is why it took so long. Writing action is really hard.

Chapter 13

In the frigid north, far away from Berk. An inconspicuous but momentous mountain stood strong in the midst of a snow storm. Suddenly, at the peak of a mountain an explosion occurred. Emerging from the smoke, snow, and rubble, was Valka and Cloudjumper. Slightly battered and burnt but otherwise okay, Valka and Cloudjumper landed on top of the snow and tobogganed down the mountain in attempt to escape their pursuers.

Emerging from the hole Cloudjumper made, was a Skrill, Zippleback, Deadly Nadder, and Snow Wraith. The dragon riders that rode on top wore heavy brown cloaks and wore dragon masks of their respective dragon. The pursuers mirrored Valka and Cloudjumper, as they landed onto the snow and sledded after them.

"Faster Cloudjumper!" Valka urged as she clutched onto the relic the pursuers were after. Peering down Valka opened her hand to confirm that she was still holding the Gem of Ice. The opal shaped relic, shined a brilliant azure blue as it rested upon the palm of Valka's gloved hand. The relic had a small hole at the top with a rope pulled through that it could be worn as a necklace. Putting the key around her neck, Valka redoubled her resolve as she looked forward. Lowering herself close to Cloudjumper, the dragon rider braced herself against the wind and snow that whipped against her face. The high altitudes and snow storm were too strong for even a dragon such as Cloudjumper to fly. The sooner they reached to bottom of the mountain the sooner they could fly and get away.

Valka's pursuers had no intention of letting her go so easily. Two riders with their Skrill and Deadly Nadder maneuvered to each side, of Cloudjumper. With staffs in hand, they were prepared to knock Valka off her dragon, but Cloudjumper forcefully opened his wings, pushing the two pursuers away. Looking behind Valka saw the Skrill and Deadly Nadder quickly lose control of their speed. Spinning, the riders of the dragons were flung off of their dragons, as the dragons flipped and began tumbling in the snow. Looking further back Valka, turned her attention to the Zippleback, Snow Wraith, and their riders.

"Cloudjumper watch out," Valka cried. Listening to Valka's command, Cloudjumper narrowly dodge an ice blast. Had Cloudjumper been a little bit slow, the pair would have been trapped in a tomb of ice. Seeing that the first shot had miss, the Snow wraith let out a fury of ice blasts.

Weaving between the ice blasts as they reached the midway point of the mountain, Valka could see a forest of ice rocks, the result of ice dragons playing in the snow. The ice rocks would provide excellent protection from the icy breath of the snow wraith. Thankful for the reprieve, Valka and Cloudjumper entered the ice forest. Through years of experience, Cloudjumper masterfully navigated himself them through the forest and occasionally used his powerful wings to push off against the ice rocks to move diagonally. The Snow Wraith and Zippleback had a much harder time as they slowly lagged behind, unable to keep pace with Cloudjumper.

As Cloudjumper reached an ice rock that was too wide to go around, Cloudjumper let out a mighty roar before unleashing a fireball, creating a hole in the ice. As they zoomed through the hole that Cloudjumper created, Valka felt like something was wrong but her instinct were too late. The snow in front of them began to slowly shift, and from underneath the snow emerged a Rumblehorn.

Surprised, Cloudjumper took a hard left to avoid the Rumblehorn, but still clipped the side of the tracker class dragon. At the speed Cloudjumper was traveling, the momentum was too much for Valka to overcome. Cloud jumper spinning out of control, Valka was flung off of her dragon and helpless to the force of gravity. Flying through the air, Valka instinctively formed herself into a ball and tumbled roughly against the snow. By the time Valka finally stopped, her ears rung, and her vision blurred. She was given no reprieve as she noticed a blurred form running towards her. Letting out a small groan, Valka slowly got up with her staff at the ready as the Snow Wraith masked figure charged at her.

Valka quickly sidestepped his sword as she roughly jammed her staff into the pit of his stomach, with enough force to cause him to stagger back. Spinning her staff and stepping forward, She went for the throat next but missed as the man jumped back.

Valka shifted her gaze past the man, who was slowly recovering from the blow, to her surroundings. It was only a matter of time before her other pursuers caught up to her. Unfortunately, Cloudjumper was still dazed from the impact of the Rhumblehorn and subsequent crash. The only hope she had in escaping was to stall for time and wait for Cloudjumper to recover.

Having finally stopped dry heaving, the man slowly approached Valka once more. "He is a quick learner," Valka thought. His opponent wasn't just some elderly mother but a ferocious warrior. No longer was he charging with reckless abandon, and watched carefully for what Valka did.

Valka twirled her staff around hoping to draw her attacker's focus onto the staff as she carefully etched forward. The staff was the weapon but the true danger was Valka herself. Years of mimicked dragon instinct kicked in as Valka dashed forward. Left, right and above, Valka unleashed a flurry of strikes. Each strike was blocked with trained discipline, as the man stood his ground.

Their evenly matched dual, was prematurely stopped, when the sound of an arrow, pierced through the screams of the snow storm. Hopping back Valka narrowly dodged the arrow. "An amazing shot! Taking into account the strong winds of the high mountains, the arrow curved perfectly towards me. The archer is absolutely incredible to have the confidence to not his own ally. Dragon riders with incredible skill, who are these masked figures?" Valka asked herself as she found herself quickly surrounded by five humans and five dragons.

"There is no where left to run. You might as well surrender," the muffled voice of the snow wraith masked man in front of Valka said.

"I still have one more trick to play," Valka said as she slowly reached into her belt. "Please let this be one of Hiccup's invention that works," Valka prayed as she pulled out a small round object. Twisting the knob she threw the object onto ground. A cloud of black smoke bursted out of the item causing confusion amongst Valka's enemies.

There was nowhere to run for the elder dragon rider, but if she could make it back into the mountain, she could at least hide and buy some more time for Cloudjumper. Under the cover of the smoke, Valka snuck behind one of her pursuers and struck her on the back of her neck. The woman let out a cry of pain as she fell to the snow covered ground.

Running back towards the entrance, Valka narrowly dodged an arrow that nearly took her ear off. Valka's heart felt like it was on fire while her legs threatened to fall off but Valka continued to push herself to the limit. Peeking behind, Valka could see four pursuers following after her.

The Snow Wraith, Zippleback, Rhumblehorn, Nadder and Skrill emerged from the top smoke. Flapping their wings, the dragons scanned the area and found the Valka running away. Flying as low as possible, the dragons cut Valka off, the Zippleback and Nadder created a wall of fire to stop Valka in her tracks. Following up, the dragons landed in front, and let out a fearsome roar.

Trapped once more, Valka turned around and mentally prepare herself once more to fight. Side rolling away from wide swing of a blade, Valka used her staff to block another arrow. Pivoting backing once more, she swung her staff towards the man's face. But before the staff could connect, it was stopped short. A rope that came from behind, wrapped around the staff. With a force full tug the staff was ripped out of Valka hands.

Valka took a vicious kick to the back of her calf, causing her to fall to her knees. Two large hands grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her into place as another pair wrapped her wrists in rope. Valka struggled her hardest to break free but was helpless to stop the third person as he reached forward. The man with the snow wraith mask pulled the necklace off of Valka's neck.

"Do you have they key?" A muffled feminine voice behind a Deadly Nadder mask asked, as she defensively stood in between Valka and the man, prepared to mount a counter should Valka break free.

"Yes I have it," confirmed the Snow Wraith mask. Raising his hand, he held the Gem of Ice with two fingers letting his comrades see, "it's time to leave."

"What about the women and her dragon?" Asked a second feminine voice that wore a mask of a Zippleback.

"Her dragon is fine, they should be able to get out of this storm just fine," said a man that wore a Rumblehorn mask.

Shrugging with indifference, the masked riders mounted their respective dragons. Finally low enough to fly, the five dragons lifted off one after the other. Flying low, the dragons slowly built up speed before fly off past the horizon.

The snow storm raged on, as Cloudjumper lifted himself off the snow. His head was still spinning and gave himself a rough shake. Quickly Cloudjumper searched for his partner. Spotting her still face down in the snow, Cloudjumper quickly returned to Valka's side. The elder dragon gave an apologetic look to Valka as he opened his wing to shielded Valka from the snow. With his teeth, the dragon bit off the loosely tied ropes.

With her arms free, Valka took great pains to turn herself over and face her partner. Despite Valka's tousled hair impeding vision, she could see her partner's saddened face.

"It's okay Cloudjumper, no point on dwelling on what happened," Valka roughly reassured as she shifted her hair away from her face. Reaching out to her dragon, she gently scratched Cloudjumper underneath her chin to comfort her dragon.

Slowly but painfully, Valka climbed onto Cloudjumper and sprawled herself on the back her dragon, "it's time to go home Cloudjumper."

OoOoO

Astrid and Stormfly flew through the skies at a breakneck pace. Although not being anywhere near as fast as a Nightfury, Astrid was still prideful that her best friend was the fastest Deadly Nadder that ever existed. But of course their current flight speed was not pointless. Astrid was mad and was on the hunt for her prey.

Spotting Itchy Armpit, the pair landed with a loud thump. Hopping off her dragon, Astrid scanned the area for any sign of Hiccup or Toothless. Her battle axe in hand was itching to be thrown at something or someone. In no time at all Astrid spotted the pair, with their top half in a pool of water.

"What the heck are you guys doing?!" Astrid yelled, loud enough so that even Hiccup and Toothless underneath the water could hear her. Twitching from her voice, the alpha dragon and alpha Viking jerked themselves out of the water.

Time seemed to slow down for Astrid, as Hiccup emerged from the pool of water. Turning around his body was wet and glistened against the sunset. His defined muscles slowly flexed and stretched as he brushed his unruly wet hair back and away from face to reveal his brilliant emerald eyes. Everything about Hiccup, from the top of his head to his shadow, exudes manliness. With a tightened chest and throat dry, Astrid couldn't help but lick her lips. Dropping her battle axe, that fell blade first into the ground with a thud, the shield maiden approach Hiccup.

"Hey Astrid," Hiccup greeted. The dragons upon seeing each other ran off to play together and to leave the pair alone. Bending down, Hiccup picked up a towel and started to dry himself off, "are you here to bring me back now?" Hearing Hiccup's question Astrid was snapped out of her trance.

"No, I am here to yell at you," Astrid said as a matter of fact. Hiccup gave her a curious raised eyebrow, wondering what he had done this time to upset his girlfriend. Turning her head Astrid revealed her braid splintered and broken, "My hair unraveled during training and I ended up missing. I MISSED Hiccup! What are you going to do about it?"

To Astrid's predicament Hiccup couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"Sorry, sorry, sit down and I will fix it," Hiccup said in between breaths as he put on a brown tunic. With a frustrated sigh, Astrid fell back onto the ground and glared at Hiccup as he dried off his hands and sat down behind her. Feeling the tug of her hair as Hiccup and as his fingers brushing along the strands of her hair to straighten them Astrid started to ease up.

"Honestly what kind of boyfriend messes up his girlfriend's hair?" Astrid grumbled.

"I will get it right someday," Hiccup joked.

"So why are you out here at Itchy Armpit? You out here hiding again?"

"Sometimes I need a break. It's has been a lot of work preparing for the Great Gathering of Chiefs. The last one obviously didn't turn out so well. With Drago and his dragons, and only my father surviving. It's been a long time since then and so everything has to be perfect." Hiccup explained.

"You know the elders, especially Gothi, have been pressuring me again. With each passing day, as we get closer to the meeting day, they are getting more and more obsessed. Berk needs an heir in case something happens to you. So let's just get married already," Astrid said offhandedly.

This wasn't the first time Astrid asked for Hiccup's hand in marriage, and has tried many tactics. This time, Astrid had hoped that her casual indifference would incite a more desirable response.

"Sorry, but my answer is still no," Hiccup replied. Letting out an unsavory sigh, Astrid prepared herself to the same old excuses and reasons once more. "All your life you've trained. Through blood and sweat, to become the greatest viking warrior and defender of Berk. That is not the job description of a wife of a Viking chief. Your responsibility would be to raise children and to take care of the future.

"Well I would already be the greatest if it wasn't for you," Astrid grumbled, as she gave Hiccup an accusatory glare, recalling all the times that she had lost to him in a duel.

"It's not an achievement unless there is a struggle. By being the best I am actually helping you," Hiccup argued as he gave her a hug from behind, "I am the unclimbable mountain, the impossible goal. And when you overcome the impossible goal. It will make your achievement that much greater and sweeter. Astrid couldn't help but roll her eyes as she listened to Hiccup's illusions of grandeur.

"Besides who would have thought scrawny little Hiccup would ever best Astrid Hofferson in a fight. Let me enjoy my time in glory," Hiccup teased, only to be a rewarded an elbow, that Hiccup dodged easily with a laugh. Years of Astrid's "affectionate taps" have made Hiccup develop a near sixth sense to avoid them.

"Well in that case why I can't I do both? Who says I can't raise a child and train to be the best?" Astrid countered.

"But there's a big problem with that idea Astrid," Hiccup said, as he leaned in closer to Astrid's ear. With a husky tone in a low whisper. Astrid's heart skipped a beat, and couldn't help but gulp as she hung to every words, "If I had a child with you, I wouldn't be able to stop myself at just one."

"Besides, I still have my own dream that I need to accomplish before we have kids or get married." Hiccup said as he pulled back from Astrid's ear, "what happens when we are gone? Berk may be at peace but the other tribes are still fighting a war with the dragons." Taking a breath before continuing, "with Vigo gone this is the perfect time to bring about true peace to the Archipelago. The Bogs Burglars, the Meat Head Clan, Bashem Oiks, and Lava Louts, it's time to show them the true nature of dragons and how to live with them and not against them. We just need to wait a little bit more Astrid. Just a little bit more time for you to be the greatest viking in history and for me to bring peace to the Archipelago."

Listening to Hiccup reasons once more, Astrid couldn't help but begrudgingly agree with his logic. But that did not mean she had to like it, "would it be selfish to say that I want them both?" Astrid asked.

"It wouldn't be you if you had wanted it any other way," Hiccup said as he grabbed Astrid's hand and pulled back her glove. Slowly Hiccup reached from his behind. Astrid gave Hiccup a curious look as he unceremoniously placed a ring onto her finger. Lifting her hand Astrid stared at the gem embedded ring.

"Wanted to give you something special, a symbol of my promise to you that we will be together someday. See? I have one too," Hiccup explained as he raised his own hand to show Astrid. Smiling Astrid leaned forward, and supported herself on one arm as she gave Hiccup a kiss.

OoOoO

By the time Hiccup and Astrid reached Berk, the sun had already set and the statues that ringed around the island had already been brightly lit. Whether it was the sky or the sea, nobody was entering Berk unseen. Besides the few watchers and patrols, most Berkians had already returned home or were gathering into the great hall for supper. The exception being Fishlegs who was approaching them on top of Meatlug.

"Hiccup!" Fishlegs called out as Meatlug stopped in front of them, "where have you've been?"

"What's wrong Fishlegs?" Hiccup asked.

"Your mother is back and it looks like she got into some sort of fight. She's injured and Gothi is tending to her wounds in her hut right now."

Frowning, Hiccup couldn't help but have a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Despite returning home, Hiccup's mother would occasionally leave for weeks at a time. When Hiccup asked about it, his mother claimed that it was dragon spirit in her, having the need to spread her wings set free and to soar the skies. But Hiccup always knew it was more to it, His mother had a purpose that was more than just needing freedom.

"Take me to her." Hiccup insisted.

Taking the lead, Hiccup led Astrid and Fishlegs to Gothi's hut. Opening the door, Hiccup steeled himself, preparing for the worst. The room as usual was dimly lit, and smelled of ash with a hint of something that Hiccup could never identify. A swarm of Terrible Terrors flew past, Hiccup, Astrid and Fishlegs, having been set free for a little night flight. Resting on a makeshift bed, Valka, let out groans of pain as Gothi poked and prodded her body.

"Hiccup," Valka called out little too loudly after seeing her son. Valka regretted it instantly as she felt a sharp pain to her rib. Kneeling down next to her, Hiccup gave his mother a concerned look. He had lost her once and had no plans of losing her a second time.

"Mom what happened to you?" Hiccup asked as he gripped her hand in concern.

"Hiccup I need your help, the fate of all dragons, and the archipelago is at stake," Valka said. Hiccup could feel the anger swell up inside, upon hearing her mother's word. The last time he had to fight to save their dragons, he had lost a father. Hiccup didn't want to lose his best friend but at the same time he didn't want to fight and lose anyone else.

"What? Whose fist do I need to bloody with my face this time!" Tuffnut yelled as bursted through the door

"Yea, because that worked out so well against Drago," Ruffnut guffawed as she sauntered behind Tuffnut along with Snotlout.

"What's that dear sister? It sounds like you need an ass whooping," Tuffnut said as he tried to head-butt Ruffnut with his horned helmet.

"I'll show you an ass whooping," Ruffnut countered as she clashed her horned helmet against her brother's. The sibling's fight ended decisively when Tuffnut was grabbed by the back of his neck and being thrown back onto the ground.

"Will you two quit it already, this is serious," Astrid yelled. Hands on her hips, Astrid directed the attention of everyone back to the Viking Chief and his mother. "If Hiccup is getting himself into trouble again then count me in."

"Us too," Fishlegs said, as he came through the door along with Snotlout.

Peering behind, Hiccup could see his friends gathering around. Through thick and thin; Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut had always been there for him. With a surge of confidence, he turned around and tightened his grip on his mother's hand. He was the Viking Chief and he would do whatever it took to make sure everyone was safe. He nodded his head toward his friends and comrades.

"We will take care of it mom, we always do, together."

Author's end notes: I have a couple more chapters drafted out. I think I will be able to consistently publish a chapter every two weeks. Hopefully this will give me enough time to finish up chapters and draft out new ones. I had originally hoped to have finished this story by the end of December which is highly unlikely now. Rest assured I will FINISH this story. Next up, a whole lot of non canon lore.

Beta Reader: Colonel Pepper

Typo Helper: warorpeace

Cover page by Mistress of the Snow

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