I heard Bliss claw at the wall again. I placed my hand against the wall as well. I had to wait and hope and when the time came I would accept my fate. No matter what it was. Hiccup rustled in his bed.

"Why did you tell him that?" He asked. I grimaced to myself, unhappy that Hiccup heard me.

"I'm tired of lying. It's hard to live like that." I replied.

"Then why make my father lie to everyone?"

"I didn't. I'm letting him choose if he wants to make you more popular. Put your name in everyone's mouths again. I don't care about the fame. It doesn't matter to me. I don't have people I need to impress. You'll be the leader of these people one day. Adding to your name now will help you in the future." I flipped over to look around the small house.

"What happens if you're allowed to stay?"

I didn't know how to answer him. I had already accepted that I would be exiled from Berk. Being able to stay would hadn't even crossed my mind.

"If… if I stay I'd, I don't know. Probably devote myself to protecting this place. Or becoming the medicine man eventually. Or both. When I said this place is amazing I wasn't joking. I've lived in a terrible place for too long. I never felt safe with Dagur. Even with his word of safety and the rank I held. I couldn't trust him. When I came here, the hospitality, the land, the people. I couldn't do it, Hiccup. If I'm sent away I won't hold any malice against this place. I couldn't. It would be wrong of me."

"I hope you get to stay." Hiccup whispered. My breath hitched. Him of all people wanted me to stay? He was the most affected out of everyone. I was supposed to get him killed. "But you have to promise never to lie again."

"Hiccup if I stay, I'll never lie again. I'd also like to be your right hand man. I know that's a lot to ask, especially after what happened but. Listen I know you don't like to get your hands dirty, at least in the having to kill or make decisions that could get people killed sense. It's a weakness but also a strength I wish I had myself. But I don't. I guess I'm asking to be your war chief. Odd. But I think it would help you out. And as sure as I am that Astrid would love that position, I think I fill it better. More experience and all that."

"So like what? You want to be my bodyguard or something?"

"Yeah basically. Hiccup, you're my only friend. Bliss doesn't count. I don't particularly want to be friends with the others and haven't even said a word to Snotlout. A long time ago Bliss taught me something that I hate. But I follow it without second guessing myself. I will always put myself in front of my friends. No matter how bad the situation is."

"You know what you're saying right? That could get you killed. Do you know how large a target that puts on not only you but me? Dagur wasn't the only one doesn't like us. Many of them are way worse."

I laughed softly. "Then I guess I'll have to show them who I am."

I heard Hiccup chuckle weakly. I turned over again, trying to get back to sleep. Stoick walked in again and I heard the small chair creak under his weight.

"Hiccup? You awake?" He whispered.

"What dad?" Hiccup groaned.

"We need to talk about." Stoick motioned his head to me.

"Why? Can't it wait?"

"No, son. I'm having a lot of trouble with my decision about him. And what he told me was insane. I don't know why he did it and it's confusing me."

"Like what?"

"He told me to tell everyone that you killed Dagur not him. Then even after that he told me he was friends with that maniac. It didn't even sound like he cared if I killed him as long as his dragon was safe. I don't know what to do with him. You know what? I'm going to let you decided Hiccup. You're the one who knows him best."

"So what? You want me to decide if he leaves this place? Isn't that your job?"

"Well yes. But you will be chief one day and you'll need to make decisions like this. You'll have to trust your gut and make these decisions."

"Then he stays."

"Can I ask why?"

"I trust him. He did all he could to get me back safe. No matter who he was allied with. Plus he betrayed one of the closest enemies to us, not to mention likely one of the most dangerous. He's quiet, dangerous, smart, knows his way around a dragon, and knows how to make medicine. To be honest he's better off here, helping us, rather than going away and having to be against us again. Although I suspect he'd just find a place to live by himself, so that nothing could hurt him or more importantly his dragon. I think he wants to be a part of something that he can be good at. He needs a leader that won't turn on him the second something goes wrong." Hiccup's voice was strong. I couldn't help but smile at the power he commanded, even from his father. I knew he'd be a good leader, I didn't suspect that he already was.

Stoick huffed. I could tell he was unhappy with his son's decision. The chair he was on groaned unhappily as he stood again.

"I will take my leave then. Rest well son." The door shut heavily, shaking the whole mountain.

"He's angry you know." I sighed. "He's going to make you be my watchdog. Make sure I don't get out of line."

Hiccup laughed weakly. "I know. That's just how he is. I'm not worried about you 'getting out of line' either. You don't have to prove yourself to me. I've seen what you can do, and if you bring even half of what you did on Berserk, I'd be happy. You're smart and lived with lunatics and didn't fall into their ways. I trust you and that's all that matters."

My throat sealed shut. I couldn't breath. No one had ever said that to me. I felt amazing.

"Thank you."