Chapter 1
The Wanderer Returns
Sun rise over the island of Berk the hills green with the Summer Grass, golden glow from the sun warming the village, and the familiar noise of Mildew ranting in the streets about Dragons the menace to Berk, course now hardly anyone paid attention to the old goat loving coot now since the lightning fiasco. In the chiefs hut on a stone slab Sleeps toothless and wrapped in the dragons wings Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III Master Dragon tamer of Berk "Hiccup!" Stoick bellowed from the main room "Get up Hiccup time to eat son" Stoick had prepared a special breakfast for the three for this day was a special day for the people of Berk it was Dragon day the anniversary of the Red Deaths defeat and the peace with Dragons had begun.
Stoick climbed up stairs to find the Master and mount sound asleep in an adorable heap, with a chuckle and a stomp both Hiccup and Toothless jumped to their feet in shock and panic "what the hell was that dad?" Hiccup exclaimed as he approached his massive father proceeding down the stairs dragon in tow "what? That little wakeup call? Did you forget what day it is Hiccup? This day we celebrate we've got a lot to do today you, me, Gobber, and the rest of the academy students" Stoick was oddly giddy about the events of the day as they sat down to enjoy a breakfast of boiled Sausages, wrapped in omelets and served on half loaf toast while toothless got to his fish basket.
"so Hiccup not trying that chicken diet with toothless?" Stoick asked "na tried it once but turns out fish is best for toothless yak meat makes him sleepy, chicken gives him debilitating gas, and pork well… I think you know what happened there" Hiccup pointed out with a full mouth stoic replied "at least the pork made it threw him I remember the mutton he practically painted the arena with vomit" all three winced at that glorious day. After their meals and daily grooming the father son pair put on their Matching helmets and went outside to tack up their dragons then departed for the great hall.
At Gobber's workshop/Dragon Medical center and Dental hinge clinic Gobber was working away on an odd contraption while Fishlegs waited "so Gobber is it ready yet?" Fishlegs was bouncing with excitement with a grunt Gobber replied "Just about got it but why, you want this for a dragon I'll never know" Fishlegs looked sheepishly at his feet mumbling "it gets so cold in my room I figured a container for a small amount of Lava would keep Meatlug and I both warm" Gobber chuckled and started to sing his favorite song "OH, I'VE GOT MY AXE AN' I'VE GOT MY MACE AND I LOVE MY WIFE WITH THE UGLY FACE I'M A VIKING THREW AN' TRUE!" a song dreaded by everyone on Berk though Gobber had a horrible singing voice he did have a good musical rhyme scheme with instruments.
After Fishlegs ran off home to show Meatlug their new furnace Gobber stood in his shop staring out at the sea leaning on the center post just thinking about all the little things in his life "Gobber today is going to be a good day" he told himself as he let out a sight he took one last look out and saw a ship approaching from the rising sun, Gobber shot to his feet and grabbed one of Hiccup's telescopes and looked threw to see the Crimson Sails flying the old Berk Crest embroidered with gold and below that the Hofferson clan crest "By Odin's beard that crazy bastard's BACK!" Gobber yelled to know one though it was probably under way Gobber knew he had to stop the feast Stoick and Hiccup needed to be at the docks but most of all Astrid he though she's the one who needs to see him most of all right now, Gobber ran as fast as his leg and stump could carry him on a direct path to the great hall.
Noon in the great hall all of Berk was there gathered at two long tables stretching the length of the hall and a shorter table set atop the throne stage where Stick sat with Hiccup at his left side Astrid to Hiccup's left followed by the twins an empty seat and finally Snotlout to Stoick's right was an empty seat then Mildew and the rest of the village elders all was perfect everyone was seated and all eyes were upon the Chief as he rose and grabbed his stein lifted it to his chest He took a deep breath and began his speech "Everyone I believe you all know why we're here, today marks the first year anniversary of three events the first the Death of the Red Death Dragon Queen, The second is the day my son Became a true Viking by killing not only his first but the Last Dragon we've ever had to kill, and the third the day we made peace with the Dragon" Stoick pauses for breath allowing a cheer to rise up from the gathered villagers then he began again "I'd also like to thank everyone for showing my son more respect over the last year, Odin knows he's deserved it. But now I think this next news is only right for Hiccup to say himself as the Chief Dragon Tamer of not just Berk but the whole Harry Hooligan Clan, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III everyone!" Stoick Ended by clapping as he sat while cheers and thunderous applause came from the crowd.
With a hint of Embarrassment written on his face Hiccup rose waving his hands to douse the clapping and cheering when all was silent he took some water and a breath "Thank you Dad for that riveting speech and thank you everyone for the response Really it's been a long hard year learning to live with dragons but Mulch and Bucket say they've never had an easier time sowing the fields and our fishing fleet has never had such fast and bountiful day's on the sea well I'd just like to say to the Dragons a big Thank you and now for the news my father mentioned" Hiccup paused and took out a sheet of paper then cleared his throat again "now everyone our Dragon Training Academy will be accepting new Trainers of all ages from five years and up to learn how to tame and train Dragons but before you say I'm crazy the younger Trainers will be dealing with hatchlings and yearling Dragons nothing as overly dangerous as an adult Dragon we're hoping to show with this project That anyone can indeed learn to train a Dragon. Also as a result of our Academy taking in new recruits our current group of Trainers are now Species Masters and will train up to five new tamers in their proffered species of Dragon. Astrid Hofferson Nadder Master and Sharp class Master, Toffnut and Roffnut Zippleback Master and Fear class Masters, Fishlegs Gronckle Master Boulder class Master and Log Keeper of all Dragons and Caretaker of the Book of Dragons, and finally Snotlout Jorgenson Master of Monstrous Nightmare and Stoker class. It is my hope that with us all teaching others we'll all have a brighter future with Dragons" Hiccup ended his speech and sat down.
Amidst resounding applause the great halls doors burst open and Gobber ran in "Stop the Festivities!" he yelled as he panted trying to catch his breath. Stoick looked to his son only to receive an unknowing shrug "what's this about Gobber? Has something happened?" Stoick Bellowed "oh, Aye something's happened, something twelve years in the makings happened down at the docks you Hiccup and Astrid should get down there fast" Gobber rattled off his answer, a look of sheer astonishment crept across Stoick's face "well you heard him Hiccup, Astrid, follow me and get your Dragons" Stoick said as he got up to leave the great hall "everyone feel free to follow us or stay and enjoy the meal" Gobber said as he left with the three.
At the docks they could now see the sails without using a telescope "by Odin's beard! It's actually His Ship!" Stoick exclaimed in disbelief as he watched the ship "who is it dad?" Hiccup was curious as to who his father could be so excited to see, "I know who it is Hiccup…" Astrid said in a low sad tone "it's my older brother Torkkar the Furry" Astrid had tears in her eyes and a quiver in her voice as she finished. Stumped Hiccup ask "who's Torkkar? Well besides Astrid's brother" Gobber walked up and said "Torkkar the Furry, Hiccup was one of the strongest and the youngest Vikings of Berk to ever Kill a Dragon. Hell his first night he grabbed a war hammer and at the age of ten he crushed a Nadder's skull like a grape then moved on to choke a Gronckle, and somehow he ended up riding a Dragon up into the swarm and killed at least fifty Dragons that night, right Stoick?" Stoick turned round "Aye Gobber fifty dragons in one night and in the two years before he left he had racked up over one thousand kills. Then he left Berk to explore the world he left with this ship and as much food as we could spare, but why he returns now I don't know" Stoick turned round again to see the ship just now pulling into the dock "well I guess we'll find out" Hiccup stated.
As the ship pulled in a rather small, tall, tanned man stepped up from below deck but for his size he sported a simply massive beard stretching easily three feet wide and hanging down to his knees. The man approached the dock side near Stick and the other "good day to you sir's and ma'am, might get ye-ta move aside so I can tie the mooring line?" he said in a nasally yet deep voice. They step aside and as the line was tied off Stoick clears his throat "is that you Torkkar?" he asked with a confused look about not just his face but his entire body. The man just laughed for a good few minutes but what seemed like hours to the waiting group.
Finally the man stopped wiping a tear from his eye "Well I guess we're in the right place if your all lookin fer the boss" he said still slightly chuckling "I'll go tell him yer lookin fer him" with that said he left back for the lower deck of the ship only to appear later with a barrel carried at his knees height then the ship shook as he got on deck then from the large door to the lower deck loud stomps could be heard as what sounded like some unholy beast unleashed by Loki had been disturbed and was seeking to wreak havoc upon the world, with a roar and a grunt a huge muscular man crawled out of the ship his bones cracking from being cramped up below deck for so long.
The man stood up revealing himself to be ten feet tall his chest was almost half as broad as he was tall his arms nearly as thick as a Gronckle's neck, and covered in thick black hair, his chest was bare save for a single bandolier strap and buckle his left shoulder was covered by a skull Hiccup instantly recognized the skull it used to belong to a Night Furry this caused hiccup to look at Toothless with some worry, the man's pants were bear skin with a loin cloth made of red scales hitched up with a broad iron studded Black belt his boots were normal brown leather with Iron toe and heel caps completing this grizzly tough appearance was a bright red cloak clasped with a single gold clasp upon which sat a relief of the Hofferson clan crest, atop his head he wore a long red oriental headband which blew slightly in the light breeze of his home, his hair was long thick and black as night he sported a rather short but bushy beard his cheek bones were quite pronounced and the flesh was slightly red from the cold air, his nose was not large but in no way small either leading to two round yet narrow eyes with irises so blue they looked to shine with the sky's playful luster, peeking out from his cloak above his left shoulder was the hilt of a sword it was golden wrapped with an exotic scarlet cloth and clutched in what looked like a four pronged talon was a perfectly round ruby as big as a chickens egg.
The man was three heads taller than Stoick after he stepped off the ship it rose noticeably in the water he looked down at Stoick whom looked up at him "chief?" the giant boomed in a deep almost growling voice "Torkkar?" Stoick asked again in bug eye disbelief to which they both nodded to each other question "how did you get so big {small}?" the asked in unison to which they broke out in a round of laughter Stoick shaking like jelly and Torkkar's muscles flexing in their mutual amusement. Taking a breath Torkkar looks over the group "so where my little Astrid?" he asked looking squarely at Hiccup for some odd reason Stoick cleared his throat and placed his hand on Hiccups shoulder and with pride said "This is my son Torkkar Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III" before Stoick could continue Torkkar was Laughing again between the laugh "THAT'S your son he looks quite feminine to me so small!" with it said Hiccup and Stoick just stared blankly at Torkkar as he regained himself Stoick began again "of course you remember Gobber our former Blacksmith, and this little furry is your sister Astrid" Stoick finished giving Astrid's hair a bit of a ruffle trying to tease her a little.
Torkkar stepped closer to Astrid and knelt down and held his arms wide and close "come 'ere sis give your big brother a hug" Torkkar said with an oddly soft yet assuring look on his face, Astrid turned red and was trying to shy away when she found Stoick's hand on her back guiding her to this massive person who was supposed to be her big brother. In the end Astrid moved in and wrapped her arms round his neck and he wrapped his arms around her one arm across her back the other across her shoulders, she tried not to breath but she couldn't hold it in any longer and she got a good whiff of his scent from his hair it smelled of salt and smoke and also the faintest hint of blood which brought Astrid back to her child hood she wasn't much bigger a Terrible Terror she remembered running to the dock screaming "Please don't go Brother Please stay here and play with me!" she ran and cried as her big brother sailed out of the harbor on his twelve year journey. Snapping back to reality she began to cry as his embrace felt familiar with a weepy voice she cried out "YOUR BACK BROTHER! YOUR REALLY BACK!" as she cried Torkkar smiled and held his weeping happy sister for a few moments as the parted he looked her in the eyes "I'm back from now on Astrid I've journeyed far and wide and gathers some of the most amazing crop seeds, and recipes hell I've even gotten some trophies of the battles I've fought and the animals I've hunted but I'm back Astrid and I'll be helping to defend Berk" Torkkar's words were sweet and loving like a good big brother but as he stood the group knew he meant killing Dragons.
With e the sound of clapping and shuffling announcing his way "My, my such a kind display of love from the brat who had me run outta me own house in town right up to that blasted patch a dirt I'm still calling home!" Mildew spat his words with hatred and distain as he approached Torkkar. Still in the midst of his ranting Mildew got within eight feet when he noticed a massive sword was at his throat looking up at Torkkar with a gulp "now, now Torkkar you don't want to do that you'd be exiled from Berk for threatening one of its elders" the old man smiled as Torkkar looked at Stick who sighed "it's true Mildew's an elder now married his way in to the council" Stoick looked disgusted with the fact but he couldn't change it either.
With great anger Torkkar lowered his blade then hell broke loose he herd toothless groan from where the dragon was napping Torkkar snapped his gaze quickly locking onto the Dragon "NIGHT FURRY!" Torkkar roared as he leapt for Toothless Gobber Yelled "GET DOWN!" as the group ducked to avoid Torkkar's leap, Landing on the Dragon Torkkar rolled springing to his feet with Toothless held by the neck all four feet off the ground his tail dragging on the dock Toothless found himself unable to look down and totally defenseless Torkkar was about to finish the deal by ramming his blade threw the dragons heart when he found both Hiccup and Astrid hanging off his Left arm "DROP THAT DRAGON RIGHT NOW!" Stoick commanded Torkkar looked over to Stoick "why?" he said totally confused "We don't kill Dragons any more Torkkar haven't for a year now and we're actually better off for it we catch fish faster, our crops grow better, and for the forge nothing beats a Nadder's flames to make Dragon forged steel, Hell I'm even a Dragon Dentist and Doctor" Gobber said proudly.
Torkkar looked at Toothless and put the Dragon down then lifted his blade to put it away and with no prompting held out his hand and with a sigh "Sorry Dragon" Torkkar said softly which prompted Toothless to stop growling and press his nose into Torkkar's hand. Hiccup looked at the sight with amazement "well looks like we've another Dragon Trainer, eh Hiccup?" Astrid said with a playful punch to Hiccup's arm, Hiccup said "yeah looks like it and why is it always punching with y…" Hiccup shut up as she kissed him they parted "that's for helping me stop my Brother" she said cheerfully, there was a long pause "where's the one for everything else?" Hiccup asked "that's for later Hiccup [sigh] I need to tell my brother about us first… unless you want him to chop off your other leg?" Astrid said with a wicked grin. Hiccup knew the next few days would be hell trying to get a new rider a dragon and maybe even worse knowing he's liable to kill Mildew for some reason, and if he really did kill 0ne thousand Dragons would he even be able to train any dragon? Only time will tell.