It has been finished. Hiccup continues his journey to the capitol and hears of a special mission. As for the people who are wondering when Berk is coming into the spotlight, be patient we're getting there.

Chapter 4: A mission you say?

Garden balcony on the Imperial palace, Capitol city, evening, 266 ADF

It was a warm sunny evening in the capitol and Hiccup was leaning on the balcony silently staring over the great city. They arrived at the outskirts of the city about an hour ago and shipped out with the rest of the third legion. Just like his troopers who went home to their family he did the same, and since he was raised by the royal family he considered the palace to be his home. He hadn't seen his adoptive parents or sister yet since they were either in a meeting or of working. So he went to the place he could be most easily at peace. Well, the second place he could as he was too exhausted to go to the workshops.

He occasionally looked back over his shoulder to see Toothless laying on the grass next to a small pond. And see the resident ducks and their ducklings roaming all around and over him, some were even sitting on his head. A few years ago he would have found this annoying but nowadays he didn't bother, you could even say he was quite fond of the little ones and he allowed them to snuggle close for warmth.

Hiccup chuckled at the sight and left his place at the balcony and made his way to Toothless and the pond. He settled himself down against the trunk of a nearby tree, making himself comfortable. He then removed a small book from Toothless's various packs laying nearby as they were removed when the two arrived. The small book was his current diary/sketchbook, in these books he wrote down his experiences, made blueprints for inventions or made just sketches from the scenery. Either by eye or from memory. And now he was making lazy sketch of Toothless covered in ducklings, just to kill some time.

"I don't know what's more peaceful, Toothless being covered with ducks or my son drawing that very scene?" A voice suddenly spoke on Hiccups left making him and Toothless both look up. The latter surprising the snuggling ducks on his head. Hiccup however smiled at the man who said those words. Emperor Dytaldir, his adoptive father.

Hiccup snapped his book shut, jumped up and walked to his father. "Good to see you again dad." He said whilst hugging Dytaldir. He had been a kind and nurturing father to him, giving him as much chances to succeed as he needed. And because of this Hiccup considered the man a role model.

"Where's mom and Mae? I haven't seen them yet." Hiccup asked.

"Your mother is underway and your sister, she's working in the nearby city infirmary. She wanted to do her part just like you son." His father explained.

Hiccup smiled at this. He knew his adoptive sister always wanted to do more for her people then just diplomatic missions and being the royal heir. She couldn't follow him to the front for this reason but she still wanted to do something. So she studied up medicine and went working as a doctor in one of the capitol's infirmary's.

"Then I'll go see her when she's done working." Hiccup said.

Just then another person came walking up to him. Well, more like running up to him.

The person that almost barrelled into him and squished him to death was Yelena, the current empress of Draconia and his adoptive mother.

"Ohh I'm so glad your back and all right." She exclaimed earning a chuckle from her husband.

"Come on honey, you know he can handle himself. He proved that three years ago remember." Dytaldir laughed.

"Oh don't remind me of that day, I was terrified when he left for that." The empress exclaimed.

Hiccup chuckled at his parents antics, in truth he knew very well what they were talking about. After all it was one of the most dangerous things he ever did.

"Now son, we have something to tell you." Dytaldir said gaining Hiccup's attention. "I fear I may have to cut your shore leave short."

"Hmm, the entire third legion or mine alone?" Hiccup asked bracing himself for his troops reaction when it would be all of them.

"No son I know how much you care for the wellbeing of your soldiers, this mission is for you alone." The emperor said to which Hiccup visibly relaxed.

"Alright, what do you want me to do?" A relieved Hiccup asked.

"Follow me son."

Military planning room, imperial palace, evening, 266 ADF

Hiccup was led into one of the many planning rooms in the palace by his adoptive parents. In the middle of the room was a big, circular table with a large map printed on the table top with precise accuracy.

"I believe you are familiar with the Barbaric archipelago son?"Dytaldir asked.

"I was there on that mission three years ago yes. Please don't tell me there's another one. One queen was bad enough." Hiccup deadpanned. He really didn't want a repeat of the events of three years ago.

"Don't worry son, it's nothing like that at all." His mother chimed in to ease his nerves.

"We have been hearing concerning rumours. Currently the archipelago is politically neutral towards us and they leave us be. This is due to an alliance of peaceful tribes keeping the more aggressive in check. Who would jump at the chance to attack us since news of our empire is able to reach them since the end of their 'dragon war'." The emperor explained.

"However something is threatening that balance I presume?" Hiccup thought out loud.

"Yes, one of the leading peaceful tribes is threatening to split apart in a power struggle. This could lead in a shift in the political climate of the archipelago leaving the road open for a Viking invasion. And you know how bad a war on two fronts would be for us." Dytaldir continued.

"And you want me to go there and make sure this never happens?" Hiccup asked whilst observing the Viking archipelago portion of the giant map carefully.

"That's correct son. We want you to find out what's causing this power struggle and if possible resolve it covertly. Find out who the different factions are and push them in the right direction." Dytaldir finished.

"It shall be done. Two questions: where do I go and when do I leave?" Hiccup said looking up from the map.

"The island you'll be going to is situated here and is named Berk." The emperor answered whilst pointing to a large island in the middle north of the archipelago. "It's home to the Hairy Hooligans tribe under the lead of Chief Stoick the Vast. That's all we know about them. As for your departure you'll be leaving in two days by boat. You can take Toothless but you'll need to hide him from the Vikings. Their war may be over but they still don't take kindly to dragons, certainly not yours."

"Alright then, I'll have two days to prepare and say my goodbye's." Hiccup concluded.

"Thank you for doing this son, you're doing the empire a great service. Now go, your sister should be about done with work." The empress said whilst shooing him out the door.

"Alright alright mom, I'll see you guys at dinner!" Hiccup shouted back whilst shooting through the door into the hallways with Toothless running after him with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

If he only had two days here he was going to make the most of them.

(two days later)

Capitol docks, morning, 266 ADF

A small sailing ship was prepared with all the necessities of a normal traveller. They had blank, grey sails and showed no affiliation to the Draconian empire as part of Hiccup's disguise. He wasn't wearing his armour anymore as it was safely tucked away in one of Toothless saddlebags stored in the boat.

Hiccup was now wearing a brown/green fur and leather outfit with a tunic in order to blend in with a Viking society. He did have a cloak, hood and cloth facemask to hide his identity. One could never be too careful.

He was joined on the docks by his mother and sister who came to see him of. His father couldn't be present because of his duties and had been apologising for it to Hiccup for hours the last night. Luckily Hiccup understood and spend the last evening talking with his adoptive Father about everything under the sun. they said their goodbye's then.

"Now be careful little brother." His sister Mae said to him. "It would be a waste if you could survive a queen dragon only to die by a bunch of Vikings."

"Love the confidence here sister." Hiccup chuckled before he enveloped his sister in a hug. One she gladly returned.

"Just come back in one piece okay?" Mae said.

"I will, see you soon" Hiccup said releasing his sister and walked over to his mother.

"See you in a few weeks mom." Hiccup said whilst giving his mother also a hug.

"I'll be back before you know it." Hiccup reassured.

He then proceeded to untie the boat and hopped on board, setting off onto his journey to the barbaric archipelago. As he sailed out of the harbour he looked back to his mother and sister, who were still standing on the docks waving him goodbye.

"Don't worry, I'll be back." He whispered to himself.

Toothless came up to him and crooned to his friend. Hiccup stroked Toothless's head in response.

"Let's go on an adventure Toothless. Who knows maybe we find someone new. Or someone from the past…" he said whilst staring at the horizon. Sailing towards a strange place with strange people.

A man on a mission.

And that would be chapter 4. It took some time and I know the end might be a little bad. My inspiration left me for a little bit whilst writing it. Chapter 5 is in progress and we then we will finally see Berk return into the plot.

I will try to make the next chapter longer. I'm still learning the trade of writing.

Once again thank you for reading and feel free to review as I can only use this to make the story better. So any suggestions or points of criticism are welcome.

I've been , dismissed.