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Astrid looked over the bow of the ship where Skrill's talon was coming into view. Astrid had never been so far from home, neither had the others and it was a bit nerve wracking. Especially because the destination in question was known for its unstable alliance with their tribe, the only things holding it together was the marriage of their chief's daughter to their chief. Officially, Astrid, Snotlout, and the twins were going for a peace mission to promote goodwill, persuade for Fishlegs to bring his new knowledge about dragons back to Berk and bring a gift for Hiccup. Officially that was the story at least. Technically no one knew they were coming; it was surprise visit, a single ship flying the Berk colors. Gobber had come with them to protect the youths and visit with his beloved apprentice.

The ship docked within hours of sighting the land. The twins eagerly ran off the ship to explore the new lands but were hoisted back by Astrid. They weren't exactly sure how they would be received here. The twins and Fishlegs may have had Berserker bloodline but they were Hooligans by birth. Not to mention their treatment of Hiccup had never been ideal. Now that her father wasn't here watching, it was entirely possible that Hiccup might take some form of vengeance. Dagur may have rubbed off on her more than would be beneficial to them. A woman came up to them, fierce, blonde and taller than all but Gobber. Se eyed them warily then the ship.

"What are you lot doin' here?"

"We came to visit Hiccup, and Fishlegs." Astrid told her. The woman eyed her again, but less aggressive in her posture. Astrid mentally sighed in relief; at least they didn't seem to be a group consensuses of hate for the Hooligans. Then she walked to a post where a terrible terror was grooming itself. She scribbled something down and gave it to the terror.

"Go to yer master." The terror flew off with gusto. The visitors stood awkwardly, when Astrid moved to find her kin the woman blatantly stood in her way.

"You will wait here."

It seemed like awhile but before long, Hiccup came down the path, Roman handmaid at one side and guard at the other, Toothless nudging his way through and see everything. Hiccup had clearly thrown on ceremonial cloths in a hurry, her braids were crooked. Once she spotted who was waiting for her at the docks, her posture changed. It was almost relived motion as her stiffness fell, but bafflement took its place. Once she finally got to where the visitors waited it clear how very pregnant she was. Last they had seen Hiccup, you wouldn't' have known she was with child unless she told you, now but was very blatant. A mound erupted just below the bust line of her garment, a nice curve outwards. She seemed to walk a bit awkwardly as the combination of bad leg, changed center of balance and inherent clumsiness was wont to do. Once she was close enough she spoke.

"Um, hi, uh, welcome."

"Hiccup, it's good to see you." Astrid feigned nervously but Hiccup didn't buy for a moment. Her expression first surprised then hardened. It wasn't a cruel or angry glare, but more of a formal and dismissive one.

"Um, no to be rude but uh, what are you doing here?"

"What, a man can't visit his former apprentice." It was then she noticed Gobber and her face lit up like dragon-fire as she hurried and hugged him.

"Gobber!" Gobber returned the hug eagerly, petting her head and pulling back to get a good look at her. He gave a low whistle in amazement at her healthy glow.

"There's my lass, look at you, Ah bet you've doubled in weight!" Hiccup blushed nervously, scratching the side of her head and further skewing her braids.

"Only twenty stones…"

"Ye weigh more than that?" Hiccup laughed and it was a glorious thing to behold. The glow of motherhood suited her, making her hair and skin shine in the dim sunlight.

"I missed you Gobber."

"Uh, we're here too." Tuffnut announced, interrupting the moment. The smile vanished and she looked a little embarrassed, as if having Gobber there made her lose the façade and just be a kid again.

"Uh, right sorry. Well, I can get you guys settled in the great hall for now, I don't have anywhere else to put you on such short notice. Unless you want to sleep on the boat…"

"No way, I've been dying to see Berserker brand destruction." Tuffnut crowed. Hiccup scowled but it seemed playful.

"We don't destroy our own villages, kind of counterproductive." We, she said we not they. Hiccup never seemed to miss a moment to remind them she was a Berserker now, not just the Hooligan chief's daughter.

"Come on." They weren't even off the dock before Snotlout voiced a question, one of many on their collective minds.

"What's with the guard?"

"Oh, that? Dagur's a bit over protective, you know?" Hiccup wasn't a good liar and it was good to see it hadn't changed. Hey had barely made it off the dock when the procession was stopped by a pair of children clamoring for Hiccup's attention.

"Mistress! Mistress, tell Sera you're having a boy!"

"No you're having a girl! I want play with a girl." Hiccup chuckled and ruffled their hair.

"We don't know what the baby will be, but I promise once it's old enough you'll be able play together and does it really matter if it's a boy or girl?" The children grumbled and hiccup sent them set them off. They walked a little longer before man stopped them in the road.

"Good ta see ye in good health Mistress."

"I've told you Bjorn, 'Hiccup' is fine."

"I know you must'av been a runt, but it don't suit much now much though."

"Maybe, but it's still my name."

"As you say, Miss." The man continued on his path still carrying the massive lumber. Astrid was beginning to wonder if Hiccup went through this every day when a child, older than the previous ones, about ten ran up to her with a bundle of flowers in his hand.

"I picked these fer you Ma'am."

"Aww, thanks that's really sweet. How's your sister feeling?"

"She's feeling good ma'am, not sick no more."

"That's a relief; the shaman was concerned I heard."

"She's fine now, and she wanted me ta ask ya 'bout riding like you do. Do you think you can teach us?"

"As much as I'd like to take on another student, I really don't have time right now, perhaps after the baby is born an I can actually demonstrate, hmm?" The boy nodded slowly.

"Now go say hi to your sister for me." The boy shot her toothy grin and dashed off to a local house. The group was starting to get fidgety when Hiccup was stopped by yet another, this one an older woman with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes.

"Here, lass, I hear you've been craving sweets." Hiccup took the offered sweet roll with a smile.

"The first is always the worst, just remember that." Hiccup smiled and nodded to her. Once they were out of the main village Astrid finally confronted her about the villagers behavior toward her.

"What?"

"I mean, constantly greeting you and giving gifts…"

"They like me is all, and I guess you could say they're grateful."

"For what?"

"Dagur…" She mumbled. It was all she said and the guard started looking between the two factions anxiously. Astrid only scrunched up her face

"Everyone knows how Dagur used to be, myself included. Hiccup managed to tame him. Even if this is a village of warriors, we don't want to make enemies of everyone. Dagur's a better man for her, and everyone here knows it." Vessa puffed out her chest like a proud mother hen. Hiccup looked down bashfully, having the decency to blush. Even with all she achieved, praise made her uncomfortable.

"Vessa, it's not true."

"He practically raped you on your wedding night. And now he kisses the ground you walk on. I'd say you've changed him." It was odd to see Hiccup stiffen like that. Perhaps all was not as well as she claimed. But needless to say, the conversation took a rather uncomfortable turn.

"I was willing." Hiccup muttered.

"Pfft. As much as a whore."

"Vessa." Hiccup warned.

"Yea, yeah, your friend's little virgin ears." She waved off Hiccups protests. Hiccup sighed heavily and took another large bite of her treat.

"Just ignore her, Vessa is too crude for her own good."

"Too honest more like!" Vessa crowed.

"I don't know why I keep you around."

"Because I keep your scrawny butt alive."

"Not that scrawny."

"Not anymore." Vessa chuckled, tugging on one braid and dashing off.

"Gods damn you…" She huffed.

"Your handmaid is um, interesting." Astrid commented. Hiccup ran her hand through her hair.

"She's a handful but good at what she does."

"And what's that?" Gobber asked in an amused tone.

"Oh quiet, I know she told you."

"Told him what?"

"Nothing!" Hiccup asked then slumped a bit. The guard patted her on her shoulder.

"D'ye need me to carry ye, Mistress?"

"No, I'm fine, I just need a moment." Hiccup braced her self against the guard before regaining herself.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just tired, Vessa really knows how to rile me up." Hiccup took another deep breath and kept walking. Hesitantly her little party followed. Things were quiet for a bit longer as they reached the hall.

"So, how's the Dag-man?" Snotlout asked, joking.

"He's fine, busy lately though."

"Busy with what?" Astrid asked and Hiccup stopped.

"Why are you interrogating me?"

"I'm not interrogating you."

"Ye kinda are Astrid." Gobber told her. Astrid bit her lip.

"Look, you're kin and we want to make sure Dagur's treating you right." Hiccup's expression closed off.

"He treats me fine, not like the lot of you ever gave a damn about me before."

"Of course we did." Even as it left Astrid's mouth she knew it was a lie.

"Like Hel!"

"Mistress, should I get the chief."

"No, don't get my goddamn husband, I don't run to him every time there's a problem. Like Astrid said, I'm kin and I'll handle them." The guard actually shrunk.

"Look if you have something to say just goddamn say it."

"We're saying Dagur's a crazy bastard who'll probably kill you soon." Tuffnut announced casually. Astrid wanted to strangle him. But it looked like Hiccup might beat her to the punch. It looked like something had snapped in her. Hiccup casually mad her way, standing inches from Tuffnut, staring him in the eye.

"Care to repeat that?" She asked frostily.

"Yeah, your hubby is a deranged bastard." No sooner did he finish the sentence than he got a sharp right hook with more force than anyone would have thought Hiccup capable of. She then proceeded to kick the ever living crap out of him. She was goddamn sick and tired of people questioning her marriage at every goddamn turn. Like she didn't have enough problems already! The guard stood in horror, he tried to reach for her only to a get a glare promising serious pain if he interfered. So the guard scurried off to find her husband.

By the time Dagur arrived on the scene Hiccup was still kicking Tuffnut in the ribs. Dagur wavered for a few moments before trying to stop his wife from killing the poor boy. Admittedly this was not an experience he ever thought he had to face but women did have a way surprising him time and again. Eventually He managed to lift Hiccup off the ground and away from the Hooligans until she calmed. Though she managed to thrash furiously for quite a bit; she wore herself out. Then she started to weep and Dagur just stood there looking between his apparent guests and distraught wife. After a few moments of floundering he turned to the guard that usually stayed with Hiccup.

"Take the Hooligans to the hall." He said simply. They guard moved to do so but Gobber insisted on staying behind, approaching the girl he considered his daughter.

"Now, now, silly lass, no need fer tears. Tell ol' Gobber what's wrong."

"They shouldn't 'av said those things!" She shouted, now more angry than distraught.

"No, but no one ever accused that lot of bring bright." Hiccup continued to sniffle pitifully and Dagur could still only stand and watch Hiccup be so skillfully comforted by one she truly trusted. He handed her a rag, and she took it with a weak smile.

"There's a smile. No need to cry, yer 'appy 'ere right?" She nodded.

"There's a good lass." He left following the rest of the procession.

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Hiccup avoided the teens after that, getting up the earliest to go to the arena and waiting until it was late to leave. She was embarrassed by her behavior though Vessa assured her they got off lucky because pregnant girls could become very irrational very quickly. But she acknowledged she was being silly about the whole mess. She had to suck it up and apologize. So, feeling much like an idiot, she went down the path to when the teens were eagerly trying to peek into her training arena.

"Would you guys like to see?" They spun around at her voice. Hiccup kept her gaze down, kicking the dirt with her peg. The twins nodded eagerly, Snotlout and Astrid pretended to be uninterested but it sparked in their eyes. Hiccup walked past them and opened the arena's gates. Meatlug and Cassia were snoozing in the sun. Maelstrom, was sitting on her haunches, having perked up at hearing Hiccup. The skrill bounded over, rubbing her head under Hiccup's hand and chin.

"There's a good girl, are you a good girl Mally?" The dragon crooned and Hiccup crooned back, rubbing her nose against the horn on her muzzle.

"What, what is that?"

"This is Dagur's dragon, a skrill. Her name is Maelstrom but I call her Mally." Hiccup scratched under her chin. Though the teens had all met Toothless, a skrill was infinitely more intimidating and to see it behave like a house cat was unnerving. As if jealous of the attention, Toothless galloped up, pushing Mally away to steal her scratching spot.

"And you remember Toothless." She made a low growling sound and a purple Nadder came next wanting to be pet also.

"This is Cassia, Vessa's dragon. A sweet girl, but a vain one, she is, not unlike her rider." Cassia nipped at Hiccup's bangs as she fought for the master's attention.

"You should Meatlug, she's Fishlegs' dragon, but they're out flying now I think."

"This is amazing."

"Maybe Fishlegs will teach you guys someday. I can't exactly take an extended vacation, not that I want to." Mally made her way into the group cuddle, nuzzling Hiccup's belly. The twins took her moment of distraction to wander off and explored the arena with unrestrained glee.

"I gotta stay here."

"Your dad does miss you."

"He sent you guys to spy on me, huh?"

"Kind of." Astrid replied.

"It is kind of nice to see you guys. I know we were never friends, but I don't many friends even now. Everyone's kind of scared of me, as much as they respect me." She ran her nails under Toothless' chin who made a purring sound which Hiccup mimicked.

"It's nice to see the town runt made something of herself." Snoutlout crowed. Hiccup made a dark face.

"Thanks."

"I mean, who knew you'd grow up to be a hot dragon trainer."

"That's enough Snotlout." Hiccup told him flatly. After seeing her beat the ever living crap out of Tuffnut, even Snotlout was not stupid enough to push her.

"I want to see Berk on dragons too. The raids have stopped but I want you to know the truth of dragons. Fishlegs is still my apprentice, but he has been here for a few months and knows about as much as I do about dragons. He doesn't have the way I do, understand how they think but I doubt anyone else does. Fishlegs as a kind heart and welcomes dragons." Hiccup trailed off, scratching Toothless' head.

"I've decided he needs to go back to Berk to teach you what he's learned."

"And why?"

"To fly with a dragon is an amazing feeling; I want you all to know how amazing they can be." Mally and Toothless rubbed against her at the same time.

"Come to our house tonight, for dinner, I think I'll be able to tell you more then."

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Princess: Good Thor almighty, I honestly feel dead right nw. I have had a nightmare of a semester. But no is Thanksgiving break so I can finally update this. And of course, because of all I have been doing I am now half-dead with sickness. Ugh. But anyway, new chapter. Yay. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Anyway if anyone is willing to beta I would really like that but I know how that whole process works so pm me!

Reviews:

Bookworm18: Thank you!

: I think that questions been answered.

REBD: Perhaps…

Animated innovation: Not really sense as much as smell.

Flying werecats: It's kind of like how people look like their dogs.

Viking Lady: And now he has one.

Guest: That's been handled.

The firetale: I hoped you liked the comic!

Mysterious Vigiliente: … wut?