Me: Well too longer to update this chapter, sorry about that. My recovery took longer than I thought it would but then again, this was my first ever major surgery. It's a good think I had this halfway done before having the surgery.
Sadly they found a stone on my left side as well so not sure how long it will take to remove that one. I just hope it doesn't take another handful of years like my bloody right…
Anyway let's get started, shall we?
To those that reviewed: The Dragon Nidhogg, scribe0magic, Guest (ch.1; #1), Guest (ch.4; #2) and Guest (ch.1; #3) – thanks for the reviews.
The Dragon Nidhogg: Glad to know that you are loving the Extended version like my original More than Life. Hope you enjoy reading this chapter as well. And yes, my surgery went well and I'm fine, thanks for your support.
scribe0magic: Thank you for your support and glad you like my fanfic. Have you read the original yet? If not please do so you can compare it to the Extended Version.
Guest (ch.1; #1): I'm a slight better, can't walk much like before but no more pain on my right side. I know that the famous pairing is Hiccup and Astrid but it wouldn't happen if she didn't stop him from leaving. I support that paring; I do but not as high level like some other people do.
Guest (ch.4; #2): The pairing was made possible cause Astrid stopped Hiccup from leaving and saw what he truly was. In the beginning, she barely gave any attention to Hiccup and completely ignored him. She even got jealous that he was getting 'better' in dragon training. And all of those faults disappear when she had that one little 'romance' ride and saw the real Hiccup. I support their pairing but sometimes Astrid's temper can be troublesome sometimes…
Guest (ch.1; #3): Well I'm glad you enjoyed reading the original and hope you enjoy the same time the extended version as well. I'm a bit slightly better but better and I know there are other people that suffer a lot more pain than I do…I pray to those that can't find a cure don't suffer so much and enjoy life. Hope you enjoy reading this new chapter.
Well that's done, shall we move on to the story?
After spending another hour at the castle, the Ryder's took Hiccup and Toothless out to the marketplace. Liza was looking over the list she made while Victor was explaining to Hiccup on how he trains his recruits.
Hiccup has to admit that his adopted father's method was a lot better than his previous father's training. He recalls most of the time he had to dodge out of the way from throwing axes to spars. There was one point where his father told him to smash a rock with his head.
But after seeing that he couldn't do anything, Stoick had Gobber to teach him instead. Another way of saying, you're not a true Viking and you're weak.
"Will…you be training me like that as well?" asked Hiccup. He bites his lip, "And what about Toothless? He can't fight properly since he can't fly on his own."
"I'll have Storm teach Toothless a thing or two about fighting," said Victor before chuckling. "You know if I'm not mistaken, my dragon will adopt your dragon as his own."
Hiccup smiled to know that his best friend was going to gain a father figure as well.
"Alright, we have four hours to get everything that Hiccup needs," started Liza. "First, we need to go to Lottie's Palace where we can get his everyday clothes, school uniform, night clothes, ball robes, traveling capes – are you even listening to me, Victor?"
"What – oh yes! Clothes! Whatever you say dear," said Victor.
"Oh stop daydreaming and go order a carriage – now!" instructed Liza before grabbing hold onto Hiccup's arm. "Come along dear. You will need proper clothes for the winter as it can get rather cold here."
Hiccup didn't have much to say when they entered the store.
A woman with long blond braided hair and had gray eyes was sitting at a desk. She looked up and smiled warmly at them, "Lady Ryder, what can we do for you today?"
"Afternoon Charlotte, I want your full service today," said Liza before placing Hiccup in front of her. "You see, I have adopted a son and he needs a new wardrobe – at once!"
Charlotte's eyes shine brightly before shouting over to her assistant. "Margret! Cancel any upcoming appointments right now! We have a full wardrobe order!"
Margret, a young girl with short brown hair and had light brown eyes, nodded her head before running back to the door she came out of. Charlotte grabbed hold onto Hiccup's hand and guided him to a stool. That's when Margret and three other women came with measuring tapes and fabrics on hand.
Outside, Toothless watched his hatchling with a grinning smile. He then heard someone walking up to him. The Night Fury turned his head to see the male human, smiling to him.
"How's Hiccup holding up?"
Toothless cooed before looking over at the window again.
Victor looked over at the window before seeing Hiccup getting fuzzed by Charlotte and her assistants. He sighs, "I feel bad for the poor lad. To endure my wife's shopping fit. Never argue with Liza about shopping as you'll never win against her."
Toothless titled his head.
"Right, well wait right here," said Victor. "We'll be out…soon I hope. Let's go Harold."
"Right sir," said the carriage man.
It took about two hours for all the measuring, choosing the right fabric, the right color, and Liza's approval. The assistants loaded the boxes into the carriage while Charlotte was finishing up Hiccup's dress robes.
Charlotte had taken out a lovely emerald, forest-green fabric and placed it onto Hiccup's shoulder. She smiled, "You have such lovely green eyes, child. You shouldn't be hiding them."
Hiccup blushes from embarrassment.
Once the dress robe was done, Hiccup was finally out of the store and saw that Toothless was giving him one of his playful smirks.
"Oh who asked you," murmured Hiccup before widening his eyes. He looked over at Liza, "How can all that stuff fit into the carriage?"
"You'll be surprised how big is inside, Hiccup," said Victor before leaning over to his ear. "Not only that, my wife is an expert on making things fit."
"I see," said Hiccup before noticing a few people were staring at him and Toothless. "Um…I know that Anna told me that the people can't hurt my dragon but why are they staring?"
"They might be wondering why there is another Night Fury since only the Princess has one," replied Liza.
Victor helped Liza and Hiccup into the carriage before going inside as well. Harold took his seat and started to navigate the streets but made sure the dragon was following him.
"I wouldn't be surprised that Charlotte and her assistant will be gossiping about this," stated Victor. "Everyone in Scotland will know about you and your dragon by the end of the day, Hiccup."
"Gossip?" asked Hiccup.
Victor nodded, "You will find that here in Scotland, there are bunch of news flowing through the streets. Some can be great news while others can be quite horrible and bunch of lies to boot."
"S-So I have to be c-careful on what I do or say around here then?" asked Hiccup, nervously.
"I…guess you can say that since I am the General which place me in a high statue in nobility," replied Victor. He placed his hand onto Hiccup's shoulder, "Don't worry about it. Most of the time those rumors are simply just silly rumors."
"Don't you worry Hiccup, we will teach you on how to be a Noble," said Liza. She smiled, "But I have a feeling you will do great."
"That's…This is a whole lot different where I lived," said Hiccup. He shook his head, "There was nothing about nobility in Berk. Respect was giving to the strongest Viking but nobility, nothing."
"You are strong Hiccup," said Liza, happily. "You have a strong heart and will. Use it as your weapon, my son."
Hiccup nodded, slowly.
"That reminds me," said Victor. "If you like you can change your name to something else."
"Change…my…name?'
"That's correct but it's your choice," said Liza.
Hiccup thought for a moment, "…I-I would like to change my name but my biological Mother named me and I don't want to erase what is left of her."
"We understand, dear," said Liza.
"If I may ask, you don't have to answer but what happen to your Mother, Hiccup?" asked Victor.
"…She was taken…by a dragon…during a Dragon raid," replied Hiccup, softly. "She was trying to protect me since I was just a baby. No one knows if she is alive or…dead."
Victor and Liza nodded.
"If you like you can have your first name as your middle name then you can decide on a new name, how that sounds?" suggested Victor.
Hiccup tapped his chin before nodding his head.
"Wonderful! Now onward to get you some dress shoes and boots," sated Liza.
Victor left out a sigh before leaning over at Hiccup, "This shopping hell thing will end soon and afterwards we will be going out to eat."
Hiccup nodded his head while Liza pouts.
"I head that and do you ever think of something else besides food and fighting, Victor!"
"Hey in my defense, I was thinking for all of us since we haven't eaten lunch," said the General. He smirked a bit, "And didn't you want to eat that new diner place that just opened."
Liza sighs before smiling, "You know me to well – Harold! Change of plans! Mind driving us to Ada's Diner instead?"
"Of course Lady Ryder," replied the carriage man.
"You'll love the food there Hiccup," whispered Victor. He lean close to Hiccup's ear, "I've tried the food there already and it's simply amazing but don't tell my wife or she will have a fit. I promised her that I would take her the moment it was opened."
Hiccup smiled a bit before frowning, "What about Toothless?"
"Not too worry," said Victor. "A friend of mine got a job there and he knows all too well about my dragon. He has a special place just for him and no doubt about it that he will cook something special for Toothless."
Hiccup nodded as the carriage stopped at their destination.
"Here we are boys," said Liza, happily. She arranged Hiccup's vest a bit, "There, that's better. Let's get going as I can hear Victor's stomach from here."
"Very funny," murmured Victor.
The General got out first before helping his wife and Hiccup out of the carriage. He told Harold to take a break before guiding Toothless to his friend where he took the young dragon to a special stall for dragons.
Supper was amazing in Hiccup and Toothless mind.
Afterwards it took about another hour or so to finish the shopping before the Ryder's took Hiccup to their home – his home.
Hiccup looked out of the carriage to see that the Ryder's live a bit close to the castle and at the back there was a forest. But what surprised Hiccup was the size of the house.
"This – This is your home?! This is a castle, not a house!"
Harold helped Liza to get out of the carriage while Victor helped Hiccup out. A few maids came out of the house and helped to unload the boxes.
Victor laughed, "Correction, it's a Manor which is a lot small than a castle. Ryder's Manor and this part of territory have been passed down in my family for about five years now."
"F-Five years?!" said Hiccup in shock.
"Though I told my Father before he passed away that this would be too big for me and Liza but he wouldn't have it and passed it on to me in his Will," said Victor.
"I see…um how big is your – I mean our house?" asked Hiccup.
"Mm let's see…there are eight bedrooms, the kitchen, the diner room, the living room, the ballroom, and two studies rooms. Out the back, there is a garden, stables for my dragon, a few horses that my Mother owned and three cottages not too far from the forest lands."
Hiccup's mouth dropped, "You have got to be kidding me. Why do you have three other houses when you have this big one already?"
"I used one of the cottages to get away from my parents when I was about your age," replied Victor. He guided Hiccup to the front fountain, "I would pretend to study but in truth, I didn't want to be disturbed."
"So…it was like a getaway safe place then?" said Hiccup.
Victor thought for a moment, "I guess…you can say that. Come on let me show you around while Liza and the maids get your room ready."
Hiccup nodded just as when Victor whistled.
Within a few seconds, a large dark blue dragon came and landed by Victor. The dragon had stubby legs and long, skinny tails. He had a series of backward facing spikes sticking out of its back. It had two pairs of wings, expandable mouth with many sharp teeth, a horn above the small nostrils and small eyes.
Hiccup jumped a bit while Toothless step closer by Hiccup's side.
"Evening Storm, did you enjoy your day off?" asked Victor as he patted his partner's head. He smiled over to Hiccup, "Son, this is Storm, my Thunderdrum. He will be showing Toothless where the dragon stables are at. Most of the time, Storm would sleep and eat at the stables."
"Would…that mean that Toothless would have to sleep there as well?" asked Hiccup, sadly.
"Na, your room has enough space for your dragon to sleep with yea," replied Victor. "Though there will be times that the dragons have to go to the stables if we have guests. There wouldn't be enough room if the dragons are inside as well."
Hiccup sighs in relief before looking down at his best friend. He rubbed Toothless' ear, "Go on bud. I'll be fine and I bet Storm will show you where my new room is at, right Victor?"
"That's correct," said the General.
Toothless titled his head before nodding his head and walked over to the older dragon. Storm made a small growl before gesturing to Toothless to follow him.
Once the dragons were out of sight, Victor guided Hiccup inside the manor. The auburn teen saw there was a large stairway going up to the second floor. On the right, there was a doorway that leads to what look like the living room. Down of the hallway entrance, the diner room was on the left side and another door that could possible lead to the kitchen.
Hiccup saw there were a few portraits on the walls. He turned his head, slightly to Victor before pointing at the painting. "Is…Is this your family?"
Victor smiled, "That's right. That was done when I was about…seventeen. My Father, Alexander and my Mother, Lynda were wonderful people. I wish you could have met them but sadly they died three years ago from an unknown disease."
"Oh," said Hiccup, sadly. He looked over at the faces of Victor's parents before smiling, "I wish I could have met them too."
Victor nodded his head before placing his hand onto Hiccup's shoulder. "Soon, our family portrait will be there as well."
Hiccup smiled a bit before the two of them heard Liza's voice.
"Victor! Bring Hiccup up here so that he can see his room – no! Alexia, that needs to be by the desk!"
"We're coming!" shouted Victor before sighing. "That woman…I sort of feel bad for the maids. She had them work nonstop to have the room ready for you."
"Um…that's a bit going extreme, don't you think?" asked Hiccup. He followed Victor up to the stairs and turned to the left side of the hallway.
"You can say that," murmured Victor. "I guess I have to be grateful to my Father since he was the one that hired the maids when I was ten. If I didn't agree to have them continue to work with me, I would have suffered of cleaning the spare room."
Hiccup laughed a bit, nervously as he turned his head slightly and scratched his cheek. He then spotted Liza standing by a door and was stomping one of her foot while her hands were on her hips.
"Must you make a lady wait?"
"Sorry dear, was giving Hiccup a slight tour at the first floor," explained Victor before smiling over to the teen. "Ready? If you find something that you don't like we can change it, alright?"
Hiccup nodded.
Liza clapped her hands together before opening the door.
Hiccup stepped inside and literally dropped his mouth. His new room was twice large as the one back in Berk.
The walls had a green forest like pattern design, a few paintings on the walls of nature, some plants hanging on the walls, and a double window door that leads to a balcony outside.
In the middle of the room, there was a massive bed that had light green silk and white bed sheets and about four light brown pillows. On the right side of the bed was a night desk with three white candles. On the left, there was an unknown plant.
By the double window door, there was a mirror and dresser drawers below it. Right next to it was a large dark brown wardrobe. On the floor, there was a light faded green rug.
There were two dark brown large armchairs, one dark brown crouch and a small table in the middle. On the left side of the room, there was a desk with a bunch of smaller drawers and a bookshelf nearby. On the right side of the desk, there was a rather large boulder.
'I wonder if that's where Toothless will sleep,' thought Hiccup.
He walked over at the bookshelf and ran his fingers throw the books. He spotted a few of them that had a different language while others were English.
'I wonder if one of them is Latin,' thought Hiccup. He walked over the bed and placed his things on it before looking over at his adopted parents. "…Um this…this is great. Thanks a lot."
Liza smiled, "Don't mention it. Now let's head downstairs. I normally cook but since we were out almost all day, I had to ask the cook to make supper for us."
Hiccup nodded and followed them downstairs to the diner room. That's when he spotted Toothless, Storm and a small Terrible Terror already there.
"Hey there bud, how was the stables?"
Toothless gave a gummy smiled and stick out his tongue. The small Terror was on top of Toothless' head but the Night Fury didn't seem bothered.
"I take it that is Loki, right?" asked Hiccup.
"Indeed," said Liza before taking a seat at the table. She gestured Hiccup to sit by her, "Come, the food should be coming soon."
Hiccup sat down as Victor sat at the head chair with a book on his hand. Not a minute passed when indeed the doors to the kitchen was at, opened and came in was a few maids.
Three maids placed a plate in front of Victor, Liza and Hiccup. Two servant men carried two big buckets of fish to Toothless and Storm while a maid that was carrying a smaller bucket and placed it in front of Loki.
Hiccup looked at the food to see that it was some sort of meat that was chopped up, on the side was a white grain and different vegetables. Thanks to Anna, he recognized a few of the greens like peas, carrots, cauliflower and the familiar cabbages.
"Normally you would be sitting by Victor's right while I sit on his left," started Liza. "But for the next three days, I will educate you on how to eat properly. Once word gets out that we have a son, you're bound to get invitations from different Noblemen."
Hiccup got a panic look on his face.
Victor laughed, "Don't worry, we will have you ready when the time comes though…I might ask Charlie to see if you can attend language classes with Anna since you will need to learn different kinds of languages."
"Um yea…about that," said Hiccup. "Why do I need to learn different languages? I understand Anna but why me?"
"Well, it's tradition for the eldest son to follow their Father's footsteps," explained Victor. He took a sip of his wine, "Take me for an example. I may be an only child but I followed my Father's footsteps onto becoming a top General."
Liza smiled, "I remember that old Alex trained Victor like he did with his own recruits. I felt bad for Vic since his Father trained to the point of collapse."
"That may be true but the results were worth it," said Victor. He winked to Hiccup, "My Father not only trained me but he also trained dear Charlie. Merlin, he was as skinny as you were! But with my Father's training, Charlie and I were able to beat my Father's top Elites within two minutes!"
Hiccup had a disbelief look before biting his lip, "O-Okay but that doesn't explain why I need to learn different languages?
"Oh right," said Victor. He cleared his throat, "Unlike the Vikings, we first go negotiate with the enemy and see if we can make some kind of alliance among them."
'That's somewhat a bit better what Dad – I mean Stoick does. He just plans on attacking whenever he sees an enemy ships or a dragon,' thought Hiccup.
"Most of the time our enemies are pirates and they can be quite cunning and if you are not careful, they will strike you down," said Victor, seriously.
Hiccup gulped a bit before nodding his head.
"Other times, enemies or future allies would come from different countries with a different language," said Victor before taking out the map. He opened it, "So far we have alliance with England, Denmark, France, Spain and Portugal."
"So which languages I need to learn then?" wondered Hiccup.
"Latin for England, Portuguese for Portugal, Danish for Denmark, French for France, and Spanish for Spain," replied Liza. She winked, "But we'll discuss this later. Right now, sit up straight and don't place your elbows on the table!"
For the next hour, Liza tutored Hiccup throughout supper.
Afterwards, Victor guided Hiccup to the living room and showed him the book he was carrying. It was a list of different names and some were quite…weird.
"Ashton?" questioned Hiccup. He looked over at Victor, "Did someone seriously named their kid after a ash tree settlement?"
"Don't want to sound rude to your Mother's memory but who names their kid Hiccup?" asked Victor.
Hiccup thought for a moment, "Point taken. Let's see…Drake is not bad, Jayden, Mendel, William…I'm not sure if any of this names work."
"Mm let me think," murmured Victor before going over to a large bookshelf.
Hiccup was looking over at the book when he felt the small Terrible Terror settling down at his lap before falling asleep. The teen smiled a bit before carefully adjusting himself and relooking over the names.
Victor came back with another book but this time it was in a different language.
"This book has a list of names in French," stated Victor before sitting down next to Hiccup. He opened it, "I believe…I spotted a name not too long ago that might be prefect for yea, lad."
Hiccup looked down at the book and waited when Victor stopped. His adopted father showed him the name and to be honest, it sort of fits him.
"What yea think?" asked Victor.
Hiccup said the name, his full name in his head. After a few times repeating it, he smiled before nodding his head.
"Prefect…I see that Loki has taken a liking to yea but come on, it's getting late," said Victor. He removed the sleeping dragon from Hiccup' lap, "Storm should have helped Toothless to the second floor and into your room by now."
Hiccup nodded and followed Victor back to his room.
'I hope in time I will not need his help getting to my room,' thought Hiccup.
"Have a pleasant dream lad and once again, you have no idea how grateful we are to have you as your son," said Victor, happily. He ruffled a bit of Hiccup's hair before taking his leave.
Hiccup smiled a bit before walking into his room to see Liza placing some night clothes onto his bed. He looked around to see Toothless was lying on the rock boulder.
"Ah there you are," said Liza. She giggled, "I was about to go downstairs to get you but I guess there is no need. Were you and Victor able to find a new name yet?"
"We have," replied Hiccup before saying the name. He murmured, "It sort of fits me, don't you think?"
Liza smiled, "Yes, yes it does and if I remember correctly, it means sky in French."
Hiccup nodded.
"Well, you have a long day tomorrow so get some rest," said Liza before kissing him on the head. "Sweet dreams dear and the same with you, Toothless."
Toothless smiled before settling nicely onto the rock.
Hiccup nodded and watched his adopted mother leave his room. He slowly sat down at the soft bed before slumped onto it. He bites his lip before looking over at his sleeping friend.
"We did bud and there is no turning back from here on out. You and I…we found people that accepted us. You found your mate and I found…I found a true friend and new parents that accepts me for who I am. I wonder…what the future lays now."
The teen sighs before getting up and changed his clothes into the night clothes. He walked over to his best friend and scratched a bit behind his ears before going back to bed.
Hiccup felt the smooth fabric before rearranging the pillows and lied down. He looked out at the night sky from the opened double window before he fell asleep.
-Break Line-
Next chapter: Hiccup's new name, new school and classmates, meeting Victor's Elites and Hiccup's first friend.