I actually finished this one early. Only because I took last week off. I'm pathetic. I was hoping this would be the last chapter, but in reality, the next one is more likely. I don't know. Check the Author's notes.

I don't know what I'm doing anymore.

—

High cheek bones. Large, inhumanly green eyes. Long brown hair, tinged with gray, tied in braids. She was the only one that covered her breasts, too. That should have been a sign that she was once human.

"Mom!" Hiccup cried. For a moment, he forgot how to swim as he flung his arms about, trying to get momentum. Finally, he kicked and propelled forward, crashing into her. She didn't mind, though, just wrapped him up tight in her arms.

"Hiccup!" She wailed. "My baby!" She hugged him tight, thanking the gods that she could finally be reunited with her child. The boy she thought she would never see again. "Oh my Hiccup..." She whispered, kissing his forehead.

Suddenly she pulled away. "What happened?! Why are you here?!"

"I should be asking the same question." He trembled.

"Oh Hiccup," she took his hands. "I didn't mean for this to happen! I went to the dragons' nest to see what was going on, why the dragons were still attacking, and in the process, my boat was attacked by an aggravated Scauldron. As I was drowning, there was a woman..."

"And she offered you life under the water, or to take a watery grave." Hiccup finished.

"Yes..." She nodded in awe. "I wandered the dangerous waters of Helheim's gate for weeks, then Cloudjumper found me."

"Cloudjumper?"

"My Stormcutter." She clarified.

"You trained a dragon?" He asked with excitement.

"Oh no." She laughed. "He trained me. He's away right now, getting food, but as soon as he comes back, I'll introduce you."

"And you can meet Toothless later!" He grinned.

"Toothless?"

"My Nightfury." He stated proudly.

"Nightfury..." She gaped in awe. Then she smiled brightly. "It's not surprising, with the way you loved dragons even as a child. It was inevitable." Valka grew solemn as she gazed at her son. There was so much she had missed, and to end up in this place...

"So how did you end up here? With this tribe?"

"Nethella found me, while Cloudjumper and I were hunting. I knew I couldn't return to you, not like this, so I tried to adapt to sea life. She found me and asked where I was from, I told her, and out of the kindness of her heart, she brought me to the tribe. I was sort of isolated from the rest of the merfolk...I didn't know...I wasn't aware that this happened to you too." Her eyes swept down to his fake fin. "What did happen to you?"

Hiccup took her hand. "I'll tell you everything on the way."

"Where are we going?"

He smiled. "Home."

—

Fishlegs wandered down to the beach for the third day in a row. Still there was no sign of his brunette beauty. She didn't say anything about leaving. He wouldn't have blamed her if she was gone for just a day, but this...he was heart broken. Was she alright? Was she in trouble? Or...was she just moving on? Did she see the fruitlessness of their relationship?

He sat on the sand and waited, as he often did. Time inched on, and he realized...

She wasn't coming back.

He stood and sauntered back to the beach. His steps lagging.

Fishlegs...

Instantly he stopped, his ears tuned to the song.

Fishlegs...

He followed it to the water, and began wading into the deep. "Hello?" He called. "Rose? Is that you?"

Fishlegs...

He ducked under water and peered into the darkness. There he saw her, hair alive in the twisting current. Purple scales glittering like sunlight on the water. He shouted her name, but it came out like a fury of bubbles.

She giggled and kicked towards him. Smiling, she took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply.

"Where have you been?" He asked, his words muted by bubbles.

She took his hands and brought them both to the surface. Still smiling, she embraced him warmly. "I missed you."

"I missed you too…" He returned. "What happened?"

Her smile faded into a look of dread. "Hiccup came back to us and said there was someone coming. I've heard rumors about him. It's awful!" Her eyes were wide in panic.

"What happened? Who?"

"Drago Bludvist." She whispered, as if the name would summon him. "He hunts mermaids and does awful stuff to them! Hiccup moved us to safety…but I just couldn't stay away!"

"But Rose! You have to! I don't want you to see me if you're risking your safety!"

"But you'll protect me, right?"

He grimaced. "I would try…I would…but I can't fight…"

"I see…" she looked downcast.

He furrowed his brows. "I have an idea. Stay hidden until tonight, then meet me at the docks after sunset, alright?"

Rose grasped his hands tightly. "Okay."

"Stay safe."

"I will," she promised.

—

Stoick and Astrid were in a meeting at the great hall, trying to figure out a plan of action if Dagur was to return with this hunter.

"We could increase work at the forge! Double our weapon supply!" Cried Spitelout. "We need to take them down just like any other enemy!"

"Now that his fleet is wiped out, it should be a piece of cake!" Another man claimed.

"We don't know that for sure." Stoick countered. "We don't know anything about this hunter that Dagur is enlisting. Does he have a fleet of his own? What kind of weapons does he have? If we wait for him to come to shore, and then charge into battle, it could end in utter disaster."

"Then what do you propose?" Asked Spitelout.

Stoick frowned hard. For once, he was unsure of a plan of action. Being a viking used to be so simple, but now with the knowledge of mermaids and dragons…he didn't know what to think.

Astrid noticed the wrinkles etching on his face, and spoke quietly, "If only Hiccup were here, he could give us some sort of clue as to what we're up against."

"I don't know if even he knows." Stoick replied. He made a decision, one with plenty of risks on it's own. He looked to Astrid, "how are you and Fishlegs doing with the dragon training?"

Astrid's eyebrows flew to her hairline. "Um, good, actually."

"Do you think you could train some men to fly?"

"I'm not touching one of those creatures!" Shouted Spitelout. "I've done everything to keep Snotlout from pursuing that goal, but he defies me at every turn! I will not turn my back on tradition!" He pounded his fist on the table.

There was silence.

"So," Astrid began. "Is there anyone that does want to learn how to control a fire breathing, nearly impenetrable, three ton, loyal reptile?"

Gobber smirked. "Well, when you put it like that, how can I resist?"

Though, Gobber's enthusiasm was not shared. No one else was up for the challenge. Stoick sighed, "Gobber, why don't you get to work on some of those weapons?"

"But Stoick—…" The blacksmith blurted.

"I will go ask around in the village and see who is willing to learn the ways of the dragon. We'll take what we can get, but we'll need a safety net in case something goes wrong."

Spitelout nodded. "Chief, I'll help in anyway I can."

Stoick stood. "Alright, we have a basic plan until Hiccup returns. Astrid, I'll need a dragon of my own, since Hiccup's going to want his Nightfury when he returns."

"Right," agreed Astrid. "I'll get right on that."

It was then that a fisherman burst into the room. "It's Hiccup!" He shouted. "Chief, Hiccup is back, and he's brought news."

"Hold off on that assignment, Astrid. Let's go see what Hiccup has to say."

"I'll go get the wheelchair from the forge." Gobber spoke to no one in particular as they rushed from the room.

—

When Gobber arrived at the forge, he was surprised to see his apprentice busy at work, building something.

"Ah Fishlegs, haven't seen you in a while. You haven't been so interested in work since dragon training."

"Yeah, I know." The boy sighed. "Am I doing this right?"

The blacksmith looked over to the project. "A wheelchair? Why, Hiccup's already got one."

"This isn't for Hiccup…" he scratched the back of his neck. "It's…it's for a friend."

"A lady friend?" Gobber smirked.

"Yeah, a lady friend."

Gobber chuckled. "I didn't know ya had it in ya, Fishlegs."

The boy shrugged.

"Let's see what we can do about that chair."

—

Astrid came running down the dock first, her energy doubling when she saw him sitting at the end, casually chatting with the fishermen. She leapt and tackled him, nearly sending him back into the water.

"Are you okay?" Was the first thing she asked.

He chuckled. "oh, I'm fine."

"Oh thank goodness." She sighed in relief and hugged him.

It was then that Stoick reached the group as well.

"Any news?"

"The mermaids know of Drago, but want nothing to do with him. They're terrified. I have a plan, though."

Stoick cocked and eyebrow. "We're preparing to train the dragons as we speak."

"Oh." Stated Hiccup, throughly surprised. "Well, yeah okay. But I have enlisted some help as well." He smirked. "Dad, I really think you should talk to her alone though."

"Okay?"

"She's waiting on Long Beach, near the cliffside."

"Okay." Nodded the chief.

"But dad," interjected Hiccup. "Please be calm and gentle, she's afraid."

"Alright lad." Stoick waved his hand at his son and departed down the ramp. At the same time, Gobber came with Hiccup's wheelchair.

"Sorry it took so long to get here, I was helping Fishlegs with a project." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"For her?" Asked astrid, with a grin.

Gobber nodded knowingly.

"Who?" Hiccup asked, crawling his way into his chair.

"Fishlegs has his eyes on a bonnie lass."

"Oh, that's nice. Would I know her?"

"You're probably the only one." Astrid crossed her arms. "He said her name is Rosethorn."

"Rose!" He exclaimed, nearly jumping out of his chair. "Well how about that!"

"Is that a good thing?" Astrid questioned in concern.

"Oh, of course." He laughed. "She's just so shy…though, it's a perfect match I guess." Then his brows furrowed. "What was he making?"

"A wheelchair." Gobber answered.

"Good, he needs to keep her safe. I don't want to think about any of the girls getting caught by Drago."

"So…who is this person that's going to help us train?"

Hiccup smirked coyly. "You'll see."

—

Stoick wandered down to Long Beach, his feet sinking in the sand with each step. He gazed around, looking for a boat, or a figure waiting for him. But there was nothing.

"Hello?" He called.

There was silence before soft whistling echoed up the shore. A tune that haunted his soul and burned into his mind. "That's…" He uttered. He didn't even notice he was moving closer to the source until he tripped up on a stone.

I'll swim and sail on savage seas, with ne'er a fear of drowning. And gladly ride the waves of life, if you will marry me.

"…Valka?"

No scorching sun, nor freezing cold, will stop me from my journey. If you will promise me your heart…

He joined her. "…and love me for eternity…"

A head of amber hair rose up slightly and peered over a rock in the water. Stoick caught the movement and looked quickly, his glance being caught in her eyes.

"It can't be…" he whispered to himself. "Val, is that you, my love?"

"Ey, Stoick…" she nodded once. "Tis."

"After all this time…well, won't you come out? I want to look at you! I want to hold you!"

She shook her head vigorously.

"Val…don't you want me? Don't you love me?"

"Of course I do!" She cried, raising up a little higher.

"Then what?"

"I…I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what, love? You know I'd never hurt you…"

"Yes, I know…but you don't understand…"

"I'm not angry, Val," he pleaded. "Whatever kept you away…I'm sure you have a good excuse. Please, come out…let me see you. Let me see my wife."

Valka swallowed and pulled herself up to sit on the rock. Her whole body trembled as she turned around and laid her tail bare to the man she loved. "Stoick, I'm…I'm so sorry…"

The chief looked in awe, mesmerized by the gleam of her emerald scales. He waded into the water, his face blank with an overwhelming emotion.

"I-it's not like I had a choice…" she went on, "I would have died, you see. And I was afraid. I didn't know what you would do if I came back…so I just…"

He stopped her rambling as he cupped her cheek gently with his hand. He parted the hair from her face, a pressed his thumb against her trembling lips.

"You're even more beautiful then I remember." He smiled.

Overwhelmed by love and compassion, Valka wilted from the rock and into his arms. He easily lifted her, and kissed her sweetly on the lips.

"It's going to be alright now, my dear." He promised. "I won't let anything happen to you."

The mermaid smiled as she nestled into his hold. "Oh Stoick…" she whispered, relieved tears trickling down her cheeks.

Then she reeled back and smacked him, hard. It didn't hurt, since he was so huge, but it startled him.

"Dear, whatever was that for?!"

"For throwing away our son!" She proclaimed, her lips stealing into a hard line.

"Now Val, Hiccup and I have talked it over…it's okay. It's all in the past."

"It's not okay!" She cried. "I left him to you, you were supposed to take care of him! But you put the village in front of your own family! You hurt your own son!"

"I know!" Stoick shouted back. He rarely raised his voice at his wife, but this was the exception. "I know." He sighed aloud as he tightened his hold around her. "I was foolish…and so so wrong. It'll never happen again. I've tried to do whatever it takes to make him happy, and keep him safe. I've done whatever I can to make it up to him…He's forgiven me Val." He assured. "I hope you will too."

Valka laid her head against his chest. "I guess I can't be angry." She admitted. "I was still alive, but I stayed away out of fear. I should have come home, I should have been there to protect my baby. But I didn't. We were both swayed by what the village thinks of us. And our son was punished for it."

"Aye." He agreed, solemnly. "But Val, he grew up to be such a fine young man. Even if we made mistakes, he turned out alright."

She smiled up at her husband. "Yeah. But the important thing is that we're here for him now."

"As a family."

"As a family." She confirmed.

"Then let's go home, my dear."

"Lead the way."

—

Nightfall came around and Fishlegs hurried down to the docks, wheelchair bumping down the ramps. He was happy that Stoick had gotten Gobber to install these for Hiccup. They didn't know how useful they would be.

He pulled up short at the end of the pier, and gazed into the water. "Rose?" He whispered.

He saw a glimmer of her tail before she surfaced. She grinned at him.

He sighed in relief. "Oh good, you're still here."

"So, what's your plan?" She asked, tilting her head slightly to the side.

He scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I though you could stay with me and my family. I have our washtub filled up with water…and there's a cove, not too far away from here, that I could take you to during the day so you could swim…I just want to keep you safe."

"Oh Fishlegs, that sounds marvelous! Your school doesn't mind?"

"Well, I mean we've put up with Hiccup. I'm sure they won't mind too much." He grinned. "But I haven't exactly…told my parents about this setup yet. I kind of want them to meet you first before I tell them."

"That's mean." She frowned.

"Well, I don't know how they'll react! I mean I think my mom will be okay with it. She'll probably adore you. It's just my dad that will need a bit of convincing."

"Okay…"

"If worst comes to worst, you can just stay in the cove that I mentioned. But for right now, let's get you out of the water." He held out his hand and she gripped it tight, then he yanked and pulled her up to sit on the dock. Then, he stooped to lift her and placed her in the wheelchair. "Comfy?" He asked.

"It's alright." She answered honestly.

"Also, here." He draped a blanket over her shoulders. "It's kind of cold tonight."

"Oh Fishlegs, the cold doesn't bother me. I live in the depths of the freezing ocean." Still, she clenched the sheet around herself.

"Oh, I know." He nodded. "But it doesn't hurt." He gripped the back of the chair and began to wheel her up the hill.

"What are we going to do about my singing?" She asked.

"What?"

"You know, when I kissed you when we first met, I said I had to silence the water?"

"Oh, right…uh…can't you just…turn it off?"

"No…it doesn't work like that." She scratched her chin. "I know! If I get two pieces of jewelry, I can seal them! That'll work."

Fishlegs nodded sheepishly. "I'm going to pretend like I understood that."

Finally, the couple reached the Ingerman home. He sopped her chair on the steps. "Wait here," he commanded.

"That's not going to be a problem." She countered.

He chuckled, and slipped inside.

His parents were eating at the table. "Fish! You're home, come and join us!" His mother beckoned.

"Uh, in a moment mom. I—uh, I need to get something…" And he ran upstairs. Their loft was separated into two rooms, one for himself, and one for his parents. He snuck into their room and found his mother's jewelry case. They were by no means rich or wealthy, but over the years, the lady of the house had collected and small assortment of fine silver pieces. Fishlegs selected two chained necklaces. Ones that were small, and wouldn't be bothersome.

He snuck back downstair and bolted towards the door. "Be back in a bit!" He called over his shoulder.

Outside the house, he handed the necklaces to his beau, and watched in unbridled fascination for the unknown process which was sealing.

She kissed the pendants and gave them back to him.

He was sorely disappointed, but never the less, he went back inside. He took a deep breath, then faced his parents.

"Mom, dad, there's someone I want you to meet, but before you do…I need you to put these on…"

Since we're getting close to the end, if you have anything you want me to cover, let me know. I REALLY like Reviews and to hear what you guys have to say!