I don't own How To Train Your Dragon, I'm just a fan :)

A/N: Nearing the end of the story now :)

Hand on my Heart

Chapter 14

Hiccup and Fishlegs flew to one side of the village and instructed their dragons to fire. After Toothless hit the main market building, Hiccup circled around the village in the air and dropped down behind the small prison. Practically every person in the village was running to the other side to put out the fires, including the prison guard. Hiccup snuck down into the prison and he tried to remember what Astrid's father looked like. Luckily for him, there was only one cell with an occupant. Hiccup went up to it and picked the lock then swung the door open. Hiccup knew it was him straight away.

"Don't you think it's time you came back to Berk?" Hiccup smirked at him and Hofferson's eyes widened to saucers.

"You know who I am?" The man asked shocked.

"You are Astrid Hofferson's father and she misses you so let's get the hell out of here." Hiccup said and the man smiled.

"Who are you?" He asked in awe.

"I am the Chief's son, Hiccup." He said and Hofferson was visibly surprised.

"You certainly grew up." He smirked and Hiccup chuckled.

"I did. Now, our way off this island is kind of unconventional for a Viking but even Stoick likes him so I promise, you're in no danger." Hiccup said sincerely.

"Stoick was my closest friend and I trust you as his son." Hofferson said just as sincerely.

"Good, I'm glad to hear it. Let's go before the guard gets back." Hiccup said then turned on his heel and Hofferson followed him out. They crept out the back and Hofferson gasped at the sight of the legendary dragon.

"A Night Fury?" He asked shocked and Hiccup chuckled then jumped on Toothless' back.

"Yes. Even my mother went on him. It's safe." He said and Hofferson looked surprised then Hiccup helped him onto Toothless' back.

By the time Hiccup got back to the ship, Fishlegs was back too. He landed Toothless then Hofferson jumped off.

"That was incredible." Hofferson said to Hiccup with a huge grin then he greeted the other Vikings.

"So that's everyone then?" Hiccup asked and he was kind of amused at the sight of Moleskin still tied to the mast.

"That's everyone, my son." Valhallarama said with a proud smile.

"Hiccup? Horrorcow is out of shots." Fishlegs said and Hiccup nodded.

"That's okay then. Why don't you and Axela start steering away from here in the home direction and Cami and I will go." Hiccup said to him and he nodded. "You ready?" Hiccup asked Cami with a smirk and she grinned.

"Always." She nodded and he chuckled then got back up on Toothless. Camicazi saddled herself up on Stormfly then Hiccup shot up into the air and all of the Vikings saw the difference in how Hiccup flew alone and how Hiccup flew with another passenger. Camicazi followed right behind him. Fishlegs pulled up the anchor while Axela went to the wheel then they started to steer away. The other Vikings watched in the direction of the village and in no time they could see blue Night Fury fire balls heading towards the village. Shortly after they saw streams of red fire blazing too – they assumed that was Stormfly. They not only set the village on fire, but also the ships so that they couldn't make it off the island. Blue fire ball after blue fire ball hit. Streams of red fire encircled the island. Soon the whole island seemed to be ablaze. The Vikings on the ship watched as their years of torment and slavery were avenged in a wall of fire.

The cabins were full of Vikings as was the storage room. Hiccup was thankful that he'd thought to get so much extra bedding. It was however, very annoying having that many people on the ship. He was a creature of habit so having his space invaded like that annoyed him immensely. He and Cami took turns steering, as did Axela and Fishlegs, so that the ship was in motion all the time. They didn't want to waste any time anchoring it for something as trivial as sleep. They had to make port a couple of times for food and other necessities. They still had all their treasure but it was hidden on the dragons and in hidden compartments on the ship so that they wouldn't be found out. The others were their tribesmen but they were still Vikings so they weren't taking any chances.

The two Meatheads were the first to arrive home. The Chief rewarded Hiccup, Camicazi, Fishlegs and Axela handsomely and they all stayed for the celebratory banquet in their honour for bringing home the two Meathead tribesmen. They didn't stay long though and they were soon on their way to the Bog Burglars.

They arrived and Bertha was there on the docks when they arrived as the ship had been seen in the distance. Bertha was quite confused as to who the hell all of the people on the ship were. The ship docked and Cami was first off.

"Mother!" Cami grinned then hugged her mother.

"We need to talk." Bertha said to her.

"Soon! We have a surprise!" Cami grinned. "Ladies!" She exclaimed and Bertha looked at the ship confused then her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

"It cannot be." Bertha said in disbelief and awe and her eyes welled with tears at the sight of her sister and cousin who she hadn't seen in years. Who she thought were dead.

"Bertha!" Her sister exclaimed then hugged her tightly.

"Bettina!" Bertha exclaimed into her hair as she hugged back. She let go then hugged her cousin. "Corgeza!" She said shocked. "But how is it possible?" She asked in disbelief.

"Camicazi and Hiccup saved us." Bettina smiled and everyone was kind of shocked that she'd admitted Hiccup's involvement. Bettina had spent a lot of time talking to Hiccup on the ship and she had to admit – he was one hell of a man. She didn't mind him rescuing them. She'd never admit to any other man rescuing her but Hiccup was different.

"We were held prisoner and they rescued us." Corgeza smiled. She felt the same way about Hiccup.

"I am so happy to see you both. You have no idea how happy." Bertha said to them sincerely then she turned to the group of Vikings behind her. "Bettina and Corgeza have come home! Get the feast and mead ready! Now!" She yelled and the Vikings hurried away to fulfil her request.

Bertha got Bettina and Corgeza settled in at her house while the feast and mead were being prepared and Hiccup went to the forge to see Chum. After he was gone, Bertha cornered Camicazi.

"We need to talk, Cami." Bertha said and Cami looked confused.

"What's wrong, mother?" She asked. She thought her mother would be beyond ecstatic but she just looked furious.

"What's wrong? You are going to marry Hiccup?" She yelled at her and Cami sighed. She hadn't wanted her mother to find out like that.

"Yes, mother." Cami nodded.

"No." Bertha said to her.

"What?" Cami asked confused.

"You know I love that boy, but no, you will not be marrying him." Bertha said.

"How can you say that? What does it matter if I marry him or not?" She asked shocked.

"It matters because you are a Bog Burglar. It matters because not only are you a Bog Burglar, but you are next in line to be Chief. You are my daughter and you will not marry Hiccup." Bertha said stonily.

"I am not a child." Camicazi said to her mother just as stonily. Bertha was visibly surprised at the fact she wasn't just doing as she was told.

"You have responsibilities." Bertha glared at her.

"And how will those responsibilities be affected in any way if I marry Hiccup? He wants to stay here with us. He is not your typical Viking man. Even your sister and cousin love him. They love him so much they admitted that he rescued them with me." Camicazi said annoyed.

"If you marry Hiccup, you will not be the next Chief." Bertha said and Camicazi's mouth fell open in shock.

"Mother, how can you say that?" Camicazi asked her shocked. "I have been preparing for that my whole life." She said.

"And I didn't raise a Bog Burglar as fine as you for you to just be a housewife." Bertha said and Cami looked stunned.

"I would never be that." Cami said.

"That is what you think now. But that is how it would be." Bertha said.

"But if you do that... it means... that I'll be an outcast." Camicazi said shocked and Bertha nodded.

"You will. You will be outcast and banished from the island." Bertha said and Camicazi's eyes welled with tears.

"Please, mother. I love him. I love him so much! Please. He would never wish me to be a house wife. I would still be a competent Chief. Please don't do this. Please don't break my heart." Camicazi pleaded and it was obvious Bertha felt seriously guilty... but Vikings were stubborn.

"Your people or Hiccup. Choose." Bertha said and Camicazi burst into tears.

Hiccup sat on the cliff edge behind the hall staring out at the water. He felt like he kind of just wanted to jump off the cliff. Everyone was in the hall so he wasn't worried about being caught crying like a baby. It was... over. He felt like he was tumbling into a dark abyss.

Valhallarama saw how visibly upset Camicazi looked and Hiccup wasn't anywhere so she decided to go look for him. She wanted to make sure he was okay. Bertha followed her silently at a distance because she kind of gathered who Valhallarama was going to find. Val remembered Hiccup saying something about the view from the cliffs so she walked around the outside of the hall and in the distance she could see him sitting slumped at the cliff edges. As she neared she saw his shoulders shaking and as she got closer she could hear him sobbing. That broke her heart. It also beyond shocked Bertha. Viking men never cried.

"Hiccup?" Val asked softly as she sat down beside him and she saw his tear streaked face. Bertha hid behind a tree and listened. Hiccup wiped his face but the sobs didn't stop because he was completely heartbroken and he didn't care at all that he was crying like a baby. He couldn't help it. He felt like the world was falling apart at the seams. "What happened?" She asked him as she put an arm over his shoulders.

"Camicazi ended things with me." Hiccup sniffed and Val looked seriously surprised. She'd watched them together and she was quite certain she'd never seen two people more suited for each other.

"Why?" Val asked shocked.

"She said that she is a Bog Burglar and Bog Burglars don't get married and the future chief certainly doesn't get married." He sobbed.

"But haven't you been together for over a year?" Val asked and he nodded.

"Mother? I don't care if we don't get married. I don't care if we never get married. I just love her so much and... I can't bear the thought of being without her." He sobbed and Bertha felt so terrible. She'd had no idea that Hiccup felt that way about her daughter. "We planned our whole future together. She was going to be Chief and be the Bog Burglar warrior princess that she was born to be. I was going to spread dragon awareness and help Chum in the forge... then once we had children, I would stay home and raise them so her obligations as Chief wouldn't suffer." He explained brokenly and both Bertha and Val's jaws dropped.

"You would be a... house wife?" Val asked him in disbelief and Hiccup looked at her confused.

"Have you met Camicazi? She's a Bog Burglar. Bog Burglars are never housewives. Besides, she can't sew anything to save herself so I'd be doing all of that anyway." He said shocking the two of them.

"But you are a man." Val said confused and he shrugged.

"I have always also been kind of strange compared to other Vikings. I really don't care if women are supposed to be the ones to stay home with the children usually. Camicazi would never be happy doing that whereas I would so it doesn't bother me." Hiccup said and Bertha now understood what Cami meant when she said she'd never be a house wife... And she felt beyond terrible.

"But what about Berk? You are meant to be Chief after Stoick." Val said.

"Snotlout will be Chief." Hiccup replied.

"Are you sure that Cami won't change her mind?" Val asked him softly and he sniffed a little and wiped his eyes.

"No. She won't." He said and his voice betrayed how devastated he was.

"Maybe... maybe you can find a wife on Berk." Val suggested and he shook his head.

"No. There will never be anyone else. I would rather be alone forever." Hiccup said shocking the two of them. "Don't you understand mother? She is... my everything." He said. "And I would do anything for her. If it's easier for her without me... then so be it."

"But what are you going to do?" Val asked worriedly.

"I am going to get you back to Berk along with the other Hooligans then I'll give Cami the ship and Toothless and I will leave." Hiccup said.

"What do you mean you'll leave?" Valhallarama asked confused.

"It seems Stoick came here and told Bertha that I have a marriage contract with Astrid when I don't." Hiccup said surprising both of them.

"Why would he do that?" Valhallarama asked.

"Because I'm not tiny and useless anymore so he wants me on Berk and he knows I'll never stay there if I'm together with Cami." Hiccup said.

"You were never tiny and useless." Valhallarama said shocked.

"Well, that's what the Hooligans thought." Hiccup shrugged. "Doesn't bother me. I don't care what they think." He said.

"They? You are a Hooligan." Val said confused.

"No. Not anymore." Hiccup said and the two women nearly fell over in shock at him denying his tribal heritage. It was sacrilege.

"If Stoick hears you say that he will be forced to banish you." Val said worriedly.

"Let him banish me then. I don't care." Hiccup said. "I won't ever go back there." He said.

"But what about me?" Valhallarama asked him in disbelief. "I only just got you back." She said.

"I love you, mother. I always have and I always will. But this? This I will never forgive Stoick for." Hiccup said. "It was one thing when he just ignored me completely. It was another when he agreed with the rest of the village that I was useless." He said and Val's jaw dropped that Stoick did that to him. "But purposely trying to take away the reason for my existence just because it doesn't suit him... that..." He shook his head.

"I understand, my darling." She said softly. "Will you stay here?" She asked.

"No." He replied.

"Then where?" She asked confused.

"There's a small deserted island that Camicazi and I stayed on for two weeks. I'll go live there." He said. "From there Toothless and I will look for his own kind. They'll take care of him when I can't. Dragons live much longer than we do and if I'm not going to have children, there will be nobody to care for him eventually when I die." He said emotionlessly. That made Val and Bertha's heart clench uncomfortably.

"Hiccup... there must be a way for you to fix this." Valhallarama said softly.

"It seems there isn't." Hiccup said staring out at the water and they could both hear how completely defeated he sounded.

Hiccup and Toothless camped out deep in the forest because he just wanted to be alone. He couldn't stay on the ship because that's where the Hooligans were sleeping. He couldn't stay in the village because seeing Camicazi made him want to bawl his eyes out and he would just look so pathetic if they all saw that... so he thought it better to stay in the woods. His mother had been really concerned about him doing that but he assured her that he would be fine.

The following day, the ship left the Bog Burglars to go to Berk. Axela told Hiccup that Cami wasn't going on the trip and he understood that. He was kind of grateful for that. She did come though as she and Fishlegs were inseparable. Hiccup did not want company so he stayed on Toothless throughout the short trip over to Berk. When they grew close, Fishlegs climbed up on his Gronkle and flew up to fly beside Hiccup.

"Are you alright?" Fishlegs asked him.

"Fine." Hiccup replied from where he sat on Toothless' back. "Are you going to stay with the Bog Burglars?" He asked Fishlegs who nodded.

"Good. Berk doesn't deserve you, Legs." Hiccup said sincerely and Fishlegs gave him a small smile for that.

Just as the ship docked, Hiccup flew down and landed on the peer next to the boat. The large group of Vikings that were standing waiting, stared at him in shock. He'd grown more, he'd aged more and he certainly was not Hiccup the Useless anymore.

"Hiccup." Stoick said wide eyed. Gobber stood gaping at him. He hadn't seen him since the day Hiccup left Berk. Hiccup climbed off Toothless' back and they were all shocked at how tall he was. Hiccup could see Astrid at the back of the crowd and he was surprised that he felt nothing at the sight of her.

"I found a few Hooligans on my travels." Hiccup said to Stoick then helped Fishlegs with the plank. He held his hand up and she took his hand then walked down the plank and they all nearly fell over in shock at the sight of her.

"Val?" Stoick gasped in disbelief and true shock.

"Hello, Stoick." She said softly. They all gasped when Hofferson came off next, then the other missing Hooligans followed him.

"How?" Stoick asked shocked.

"They were being held captive on an island quite far from here." Hiccup replied. Astrid ran through the crowd then jumped on her father and hugged him and he hugged her back tightly. Stoick grabbed Val and hugged her too and she hugged him back. Hiccup, however, stayed beside Toothless because he had no intention of staying more than a few more minutes. The missing Vikings made their greetings then Stoick stared at Hiccup in shock again.