(this chapter is in special thanks to my editor who really helped me smooth out the kinks in this chapter, Thank you Alex!)

It has been nearly two weeks and seeing the docks of Berk and its shores was a welcoming sight to Stoick and what is left the remaining boat. He was tired and worn out. The thoughts of having to report to families of loved ones that were lost in the search was a stressful thought. As the ship came to rest by the docks, Stoick and the others were helped onto the dock by the remaining villagers. Walking up the docks, Stoick was greeted by Gobber.

"So...I trust you found the next at least" Gobber said as he followed his friend on the docks.

"Not even close." Stoick answered back in an unpleased tone.

All that searching for nothing! Only to lose lives and come home empty handed.

"Oh..excellent" Gobber mumbled solemnly as he followed his friend, his peg leg getting stuck for a moment before he continued to walk. "I hope you had more success than me." Stoick spoke as Gobber took his basket of supplies. "Well...if you mean your parenting problems are over then...yes" Gobber said as they rounded the corner on one of the ramps.

"Congratulations, Stoick! The village is so relieved "One of the Viking woman said, smiling brightly as she went to help the others.

"Out with the old and in with the new eh, Stoick?" A male Viking spoke up as he followed the woman.

"No one will miss that old nuisance" another said to him. "The village is throwing a party to celebrate" and another!

There was fear in Stoick's eyes as he turned to look at his best friend. "She's gone?" He asked him. fear filled his heart. No ...not his daughter. He had already lost his Wife...he can't lose his daughter too! "Well...yes, most afternoons though, who can blame her? The life of a celebrity is very rough. She can hardly walk through the village without being swarmed by her new fans."Gobber said casually as he walked off. "Hiccup?" Stoick asked shocked as he turned his friend to face him. "I know! Who could have believed it? She just has this way with the beasts." the mustached man said remembering how his goddaughter had tackled the dragons and how amazed everyone was. Stoick was shocked. His daughter? The top of her class in dragon training? He couldn't believe it. "Well, come on, let's get everything settled then we can show you the plans for the party" Gobber said to the shocked man starting to walk the rest of the way to the village. Shaking his head he followed his friend. He needed to see Hiccup... he had something to give her, and so much to tell her.

Flying through the air I sighed and looked at the cheat sheet I had then to the horizon. I was nervous, today was the final test to see how well we can work together, and to say what i was feeling was an understatement. Over the past week or so I had perfected the harness and the saddle and made more calibrations to the tail. Now to test them in the final run...

Taking a deep breath I slowly let it out. "Ok buddy, you ready?" I asked him "were going to take this nice and slow" I added patting his died before looking at the cheat sheet in front of me. "Here we go...no, here we go. Position three, no four!" I said looking over it chart. Looking down at the peddle I adjusted it hearing it open. As we flew, Toothless made a smooth wide turn around and I tested the safety line and looked back at the tail. Everything looks good so far I thought as I faced forward again. As we approached the some rock formation I checked on the tail fin multiple times before taking another deep breath and letting it out. "Ok...Ok its go time," I said to myself turning forward again as I held onto the saddle. Facing down, we started to pick up speed and I held on tightly as we flew over the water; his wing dipping into the water. "Come on, we can do this," I urged and he seemed to focus at that.

As we flew under and arch I looked up at the birds flying over us. As we cleared the arch, I looked around smiling. "Yes, it worked!" I said looking around before once more looking ahead. As we began to turn I noticed we weren't really moving and hit one of the rock pillars. "Sorry!" I apologized as we started to fly again only to hit another rock pillar as we tried to turn away from it again. "That was my fault!" I called out as we were now flying straight once more, thank Thor. Toothless, out of annoyance of hitting the pillars, hit me in the head with his ear. "I know, I know I'm on it." I said rolling my eyes.

"Position four..uh no three" I said and checked the lines again before switching the position of the paddle and the tail. Pulling up on the saddle, we started to climb high into the sky. Toothless let out a small growl like roar as we climbed higher. "Oh yeah!" I crowed out as we climbed higher the adrenalin pumping through me. This was amazing! "Yeah baby!"

Passing the highest mountain in Berk I looked around. The view was so amazing. I couldn't help but feel so...excited! "Oh this is incredible. The wind in my-cheat sheet!" I cried out as the paper slipped from the clip I had from the saddle and start to fall. "STOP!" I shouted as I reached behind me trying to catch it. As I caught it in my grasp I noticed toothless had indeed stopped. Suddenly, the next thing I knew... I was no longer on his back but in the air above him. Panic filled me as Toothless and I suddenly begin to free fall down. My heart was racing inside of my chest; I could almost feel it in my throat and practically watched my entire life flash before my eyes.

Oh gods...

Oh gods no...

"NO!" I screamed as we descended down.

I could see the whole island of Berk and at our speed we were going to die if we didn't do something! I could hear toothless screaming, not knowing what to do himself. "Oh gods...oh no!" I cried as I turned falling past toothless now as I tried to hold onto his wing. Seeing what I was trying to do he moved to face me crying out again. I can only assume he was calling to me if he were human.

"O-okay you have to angle yourself down." I said, hoping that he could hear me over the rushing wind as he started to spin from trying to get to me. "No no no you have to angle yourself dow-ow!" I cried out as his tail hit me in the face making me see stars. I could taste a metallic taste in my mouth but ignored it. Turning now above Toothless, I moved reaching for the saddle. A bit more...come on...hiccup you can do it, you have to do it! I thought as I reached for him.

Just a bit more!

Reaching more, I finally felt the leather in my hands and gripped onto it tightly, putting the cheat sheet in my mouth, I used both hands to hold on and climbed back onto the saddle as we spun around. Hooking myself back on, we moved and stopped spinning but we're faced with a different problem, the ground and the trees coming fast toward us!

Pulling up on the saddle, Toothless took the hint and opened his wings. That slowed us down and kept us in there air. I heard Toothless cry out, noticing we weren't slowing down and there was rock formations ahead, that if we hit we would differently die.

Grabbing my cheat sheet I looked at it then the rocks. There was no way I could look at all of them and fly through this with him at the same time. Looking ahead I steeled my resolve and threw the paper away. Time to throw caution to the wind...and work with him.

Ok Hiccup, you can do this you're a team, we can do this!

Pressing the peddle back, I opened the fin, causing Toothless and I to weave through the rock pillars with ease. Pressing the peddle again we moved through the next set of pillars with even more ease. I could feel it, our bond... our connection...I could feel what he needed me to do. What he need to fly through this, together with me.

Trusting my instincts, I Maneuvered the peddle again, Toothless turning and spinning us as we passed through one of the rock pillars. This continued with us moving in sync as we navigated the maze of pillars till again we were in open air over the ocean. I couldn't believe it! We had did it! We actually did it!

Smiling, I couldn't help it, I threw my heads in the air and cried out. "YEAH!" I screamed joyously as toothless gave a pleased growl. Seeing him shoot out a ball of purple fire and a purple ring of light pass us I dropped my arms. "Oh come on..." I said as we passed through the fire.

After patting my clothes and making sure I didn't get too burnt, I looked at toothless. "Come on let's find a nice little area and rest" I said knowing full well my hair needed to be washed before I headed home. After, finding a small little beach area, we landed we landed there to set up a small camp, Toothless catching some fish while I gathered wood for a fire. Looking at my reflection in the water, I sighed seeing the blackened part of my hair. "Oh yeah...this is not going to be good," I mumbled and moved back to our mini camp site. Seeing the fish Toothless caught, I was surprised. "I think you caught enough for an army" I commented to him with a chuckle. He gave me a small grin as I set up the fire wood, which he then ignited after I finished.

Setting up some fish to cook as he lay behind to me I leaned on him and relaxed thinking about things. When I got back I would have to face my father, I would have to face the village...and I would have to face both when it came to dragon training. How could I let everything grow out of propotion. When this all came crashing down I was so ...I don't know what I would be.

Hearing a gagging noise next to me, I turned to see toothless cough up a half-eaten fish. As he turned to me I held up my fish and smiled shyly. "No thanks...I'm good" I told him. There was a screech in the air and I looked up to see a small pack of terrors flying our way. As they landed near us, Toothless started to growl and get protective over his food pulling, pulling the pile closer to him. Leaning closer to him as the group of terrors came closer, I watched how a red one went for his food.

Toothless growled at the little red dragon but its green friend took the one that he had coughed up. It used a distraction. I thought as the little dragon pulled it a good distance away. Its red friend moved closer as it was eating and the green terror turned on it growling. Both started to growl at each-other till the green terror shot fire at its friend scaring it off. Looking at Toothless, I noticed his unamused expression and hid a chuckle. Noticing the fish pile moving, I watched curiously as a little terror dragged out a fish. Growling annoyed, Toothless grabbed the fish in his sharp teeth and pulled, starting what looked like a game of 'Tug-O-War', to which Toothless won easily. Leaving only the tail fins in the little terrors mouth, the terror was now on his rump.

Toothless started to laugh at the dragon, making it mad. The little terror spit out the fins and got on all fours, he was challenging toothless, despite the size difference as it pawed at the ground. Taking in a deep breath, the little terror rose up and was about to use his fire on Toothless, who was still un-amused. Just as the dragon was going to shoot his fire, Toothless shot a tiny blast of fire into the terror making it puff out and land on the ground hurt.

Toothless seemed satisfied as the little terror scuttled away, and I shook my head at him smiling softly. "Not so fire-proof on the inside are you." I commented softly to the little terror getting its attention as I knelt to get a fish. "Here you go"

Tossing a fish to the little dragon, I watched as it looked so cute sniffing the fish before he ate the fish happily and I smiled. Moving to sit down again, I leaned on Toothless and saw the little terror came over to us. It was careful in his steps, not sure if he could trust me. When he was at my side, he nudged my arm and curled up by my side, purring in content. As the little dragon curled up beside me I lightly placed my hand on his head petting him.

"Everything we know about you guys...is wrong...all of it." I said and Toothless looked at me. I could see he knew what I meant and I smiled at him softly.

After while I had to head back home, so I woke the little terror. The little dragon looked at me and nuzzled my side before it took off with his friends. "It's cute, like a little cat" I said as I put out the fire. Toothless rolled his eyes with a grumble before I climbed onto his back and took off, to our secret place, our cove. As we landed in the cove, I kissed his head softly promising I would be back the next day.

Leaving the cove, I stopped by one of the hot springs near the village to wash my clothes and the rest of myself before going home, I had to face the music at some point. As I let my clothes dry, I soaked in the hot water, sinking into my thoughts letting them wonder. How things would be like when I got home? I knew my father would be back but...what would he think? How will he react? Sighing I sunk under the hot water before getting out to dry off. I had to see my father. Sighing I looked to the sky. Hopefully this would end will in the end.

An hour or so later, I was back in the village, there was not a soul to be found and when I got closer to the Great Hall, I could hear that there was a celebration that seemed to be going on inside. Was this celebration for my father's Home coming for destroying the nest? No...that coldn't be it. Maybe for him coming home at all...safe...sound...alive. At that thought I smiled. My father was home and alive.

"Hiccup!" I heard Gobber call out as he swung his Beefy arm around me and lead me to where the party was in the Great Hall. "We got a surprise for you,"

He had this look on his face, one that said that trouble would not be far behind, and trouble was right! When he opened the doors to the Great Hall. Suddenly the whole hall was full of cheers making me nearly jump out of my skin. There was a lot of faces that I didn't recogize from the village, as I passed by some, But there were some that I did recogize, such as the twins, my cousin, even Fishlegs...each one smiling brightly...at me.

I could have sworn that I saw Ashter amongst them, but he was mixed into the crowed, barely even glancing at me as he sipped his mead. "W-whats going on?" I asked Gobber wide eyed, He smiled seeming pleased with my reaction to this surprise.

"It's a party to celebrate your transformation from a weak little girl, to a Viking lass we can all be proud of." Gobber replied, his voice filled with pride, and to say I was more shocked would be an understatement. Gobber practically pushed me forward into the celebration and the party went into full swing, leaving me no time to process this whole situation, let alone breathe! Vikings filled the room eating, drinking, celebrating that I had become something...that was a complete lie, not only to them...but to me as well...I needed to get out, I can't be here.

Making sure that everyone was too busy filling themselves up with mead, I made my way to the exit. I was stopped plenty times to talk and everything, But finally I was able to leave before anyone could get a chance to stop me again. I ran as fast as I could to Gobber's shop and went to my private work area. Finally I had a chance to relax and think, sighing softly I sat down and took out my drawings of Toothless. As I stared at my portrayal of him, I couldn't help but ask myself.

Where did it go wrong? How...how did it become this?

Hours must have passed as I sat there, resting my head on my arms while playing with my charcoal pencil. After flicking it a few more times, I hear someone coming towards my work area. When I looked up, I felt my heart nearly stop as I got up from my seat and started to move my papers of Toothless away.

"Dad, your home!" I squeaked out, while I continue moving papers behind me. All I could think of was, Please don't notice them..please don't notice them... please don't notice them..."Gobber's not here so-"

"I know..." he cuts in softly as he struggled to get into the room from his size, seeing as it was made for someone of my stature."I'm here for you," He spoke once he was finally in fixing his helmet on his head. "You did?" I asked, keeping up my innocent act while feeling around feeling my note book open, I closed it. Never once breaking eye contact with him, a personal achievement if I do say so myself. "You've been keeping secrets," He said to me, sounding serious as I moved my book closer to me and sat down.

"I um...well I-I have?" I asked looking at him, it was only response I have. Did he know about Toothless? To say I was scared out of my mind would be an understatement. I'm more tterrified of something happening to toothless, then for myself.

"Just how long did you think you could hide it from me?" he asked his voice serious as I felt my panic rise. Looking behind him at the exit I looked back at him. Why did this place have only one way out! "I-I-I-I-I d-don't know what you're talking ab-"

"Nothing happens on this isle without my knowing about it," he spoke making me flinch looking up at him nervous. "Oh?" I asked in a small voice moving my book again. I held my breath as he moved closer to me, making me lean back a bit. "Let's talk, about that dragon." he said to me. I dropped my book and my papers to the floor, my heart racing so fast that I feared it might burst from my chest.

Toothless...he knew!

"Oh gods..." I said taking a deep breath freaking out a bit, I guess it was time to come clean...I just hope he listens to me. "Dad, I'm so sorry, I-I was going to tell you, I swear. I just didn't know how to-" I started till I heard my father laughing out loud. What was he laughing about...and why do I feel like I've missed something big here. As he continued to laugh, /i decided to play along and laughed a little bit. "You-you're not mad or...upset?" I asked him curiously.

"What, I was hoping this would happen!" He said excitedly as I stood up, feeling really confused. He wanted his daughter to fall in love with a dragon?

"And believe me it only gets better! Just wait till you spill a Nadder's guts for the first time!" He said excitedly. "And mount your first Gronkle head on a spear, what a feeling!" he added lightly, or at least to him lightly, shoving me in the shoulder making me fall back hitting my bookshelf. "You're really had me going, dear, all those years of the worst Viking Berk has ever seen!" He continued happy as can be. As I finally get out of the basket I had fallen into.

"Odin, it was rough, I almost gave up on you, all the while you were holding out on me! Oh, Thor all mighty!" He said sitting down, sighing out as he did. "With you doing so well in the arena, we finally have something to talk about!" he said excited scooting closer to me.

I looked around not really sure what to say, this was all going so wrong so fast. My father scooted a little bit closer to me as I looked at him. We both stayed in an awkward silence for a while till my father cleared his throat. I watched, feeling a bit cautious as he started to pull something out from behind him.

" I...I, uh...brought you something." he spoke, handing me a helmet. I took it from him, feeling a mix of surprise and disbelief. "It will keep you safe...in the ring." he said to me as I tried to take in what he was saying. I didn't know what to say as I staired at the helmet in my lap. This is the first gift that I received from him...I honestly didn't know what to say...except

"Dad, thank you" I said, looking it over.

"Your mother would have wanted you to have it." He added, making me smile as I continued to look at the helmet stroking the top of it carefully, smiling softly. "It's half of her breast plate." he said to me. Immediately I removed my hand from the top looking up at him curling my hand up...he could have said that sooner.

"Matching set...keeps her...keeps her close you know" he explained, tapping his helmet for emphasis, looking at me. I know he missed Mom...I missed her too. If she were alive, I wonder if she would accept me and toothless if I told her about him. "Where it proudly...you deserve it," He said to me and I felt crushed as I looked at the helmet. How could I deserve this? "You've held up your end of the deal" he told me. Oh yeah...our deal. I had forgotten that conversation...even if it was really one-sided. "i..see..." I mumbled and put the helmet on the table, as I stretched I faked a yawn. I pretened to be tired. "I should really be getting some sleep." I told him, hoping my dad would take the hint to leave me be for a bit. To my surprise he understood. "Yes...good, good talk" he said awkwardly and I couldn't agree more.

"I'll see you back at the house." I said to him awkwardly. I really needed time to think to myself for a while. "right, right..."he spoke, backing up a bit. Maybe I should say something else. "Thanks for stopping by..." I added to him as he continued to back up.

"I'm glad for stopping by" he said hitting his helmet on the roof as he backed up more. "Thanks for the um...breast-hat" I said as he backed up to the door. I can't believe I just said that out loud. "Yes, the hat," he said when he finally got out of my work space, and cleared his throat taking a good look at me. "Well, um...goodnight..." he said and I nodded as he turned to go. But stopped and turned back around to face me.

"I almost forgot." I heard him mumbled and I was curious. What could he have forgotten to say? But what came out of his mouth shocked me greatly.

"You're going to make Ashter a wonderful wife someday."

My eyes widned shock filling my features. Did he say what I think he said, Ashter's wife!

"Wait...WHAT?!" My voice must have hit a new high, but I didn't care. My mind was spinning from what he just told me, me...being Ashter's bride! Sighing heavily he turned and faced me. "You see...once you become of age in a few years...you and Ashter are to wed." he explained to me. I just stood there, to shocked to move, staring at him. So he continued on. "I wanted to wait till you were ready...and seeing how well you've come as a Viking, I think you have a right to know."

I was frozen in place, I couldnt believe it. I...was supposed to marry...Ashter? "Oh...I see..." I said softly, It was all I could say to him. How could this have happened...this can't be happening! I could only pray this was truly, Loki, taking on my father's form. But I knew it wasn't this was truely my father, and this was killing me inside. Trying to calm myself down so I didn't break down, I came to the discussion I need to see toothless, tonight.

Seeing my dad's concerned expresstion I quickly spoke up forcing a smile onto my face.

"Th-that's great!" I said with fake enthusiasm. "I'm really happy about this" I added forcing the sadness down. If I was still in love with Ashter, I would have truely been excited. But that's not the case now. I was in love with another, I was in love with Toothless. Seeing as I seemed pleased he smiled and nodded.

"I'll see you when I get home, Dad" I said to him. Noding with a smile he leaned down and kissed the top of my head lovingly. "I love you, hiccup" he said to me, his voice full of love I haven't heard since mom had passed away. "I love you too, Dad" I said to him, returning the small smile. Smiling softly he turned and went through the door of the blacksmith shop, finally leaving me with much needed time to think. When he was gone I sighed a shaky breath I didn't know I was holding. At the loud clatter outside I jumped startled, placing a hand over my racing heart to calm it. Hearing the footsteps fade away, I sighed out in relief. This was...so much to take in...too much for me to handle.

Getting up I went to my papers and placed them away where no one with a wondering curiousity could find them. Picking up the candle, I left my small work area and looked outside. Checking to see if anyone was about wandering around. Seeing the coast was clear, I blew out the candle leaving the moons light to guide me to the forest and cove. Walking out, I took one more quick look around, and left with no hesitation, as fast as I could to the forest...

I needed to see Toothless. I needed to tell him.