First off, I want to apologize. This chapter is going to be short, mostly because my sister was moving and helping her cut into my writing time a lot. I promise next week's chapter will be longer! And more interesting... :D

Astrid growled, throwing another rock into the lake. What was it with Hiccup? Recently, he's been making her feel guilty no matter what she tried to do. Astrid glanced at the journal thrown against the wall. She had stopped reading near the end, not being able to take too much more of his story. But she had promised herself. She vowed that she would read, find out what she could, and finish Hiccup's work. Throwing the last rock in her hand against the wall, Astrid walked over and picked the book up. No more use in procrastinating.

{IntoJournalWorld!}

A 6 year old Hiccup squealed in delight, running through the village with a big smile on his face. In Berk, news travelled fast, but none as fast as this particular piece of information. One of the lookouts had just reported that Trader Johann was on his way! Ever since Hiccup learned what those words implied, he was always listening for them. Hiccup narrowly avoided running into a person, and shot through the gate separating the village from the docks. Hiccup skidded to a halt at the edge of the first walkway, and looked towards the sea. And there he was. Standing proudly at the bow of his ship, his simple, unadorned sail waving behind him. Trader Johann.

Hiccup took off, grimacing as he looked down at the docks. He, of course, was one of the last to be told, and most of the village was already waiting. Hiccup jumped down from one walkway to the next, ignoring the pain in his legs in his eagerness to get down there as quickly as possible. Stopping momentarily, Hiccup groaned as he saw Trader Johann pull in to the docks. At this rate, everything would be gone by the time he got down there. Glancing around, he failed to find anything that could help him.

Everything seemed to be going against him. Hiccup lowered his head into his hands, sitting down on the platform as he felt a small wetness in his eyes. He just had to be faster. If he was better, this would never have happened. If he was stronger, people would like him more. If he was more of a Viking, like his father, he'd be one of the first people to know, and not have to rely on Gobber or occasionally Fishlegs for tidbits of information.

Hiccup sniffled slightly, planting his hands against the wooden structure. He couldn't cry. Vikings were tough. And tough people don't cry. This would be his first step to show them how tough he really was. Pushing himself up, Hiccup took off again, adrenaline and determination fueling him on. His mind started working, analyzing, and trying to figure out the quickest way to get down.

Jump.

Hiccup leaped off of one platform, letting out a slight gasp as his feet collided with the immovable surface of the next platform. Pain shot up his legs, and he fell to the ground. He shoved the pain to a remote corner of his mind, picked himself up, and started running again.

Left.

Hiccup ran around the corner, nearly falling over as his mind realized too late that the wood seemed a little too shiny. His eyes connected with the overturned bucket as he sailed towards the edge, helpless to stop himself. A strangled cry escaped him as his feet no longer felt the surface, his arms reaching out in a desperate attempt to save himself from the fall.

Reach.

Just a little more…

His hands latched onto one of the supports, which were thankfully dry. A strangled, pain-filled cry escaped him as his arms took the weight of his body, and he went from falling to swinging.

Straight for the support.

Another cry left him, as his head collided with the wooden beam. His body followed shortly after, and he would have yelled again if the blow hadn't knocked the air out of his lungs. His legs followed shortly after, and Hiccup could only moan in pain. Hiccup glanced at his arms, which were already burning from the strain of holding himself up. Hiccup moved his feet against the beam, trying to get a foothold and pull himself up. Upon failing, Hiccup rolled his eyes. Against his better judgement, Hiccup glanced down. Below, he could see the dark blue of the water. If he were to fall into it from this height, he'd break most of his bones at best. At worst…

Hiccup looked around, distracting himself before that thought could progress any further. Right now he needed to focus on a way to get out of this situation without causing serious bodily harm. And that was when he saw the walkway, down below, sharing the same support as the one he was hanging onto. Biting his lower lip, Hiccup wrapped his legs around the pole. He moved his hands down, and then moved his legs. Slowly, he started to shimmy down the beam. Ironically, this route was much faster than running full throttle along the platforms, and so the second Hiccup was on the walkway he covered the short distance to Trader Johann's ship in no time.

As usual, Trader Johann had impressed him yet again. There was everything a Viking, even a Hiccup, could need or want. Maces, swords, plants, food, spices, and is personal favorite, books. And because of this, that was the first thing Hiccup went for. Not many Vikings were interested in the books, but a few were. The only other Viking who came close to his insatiable appetite for reading was Fishlegs, who had, thankfully, not arrived yet. If he failed to get here before Fishlegs, Hiccup wasn't sure there would be any books left.

Hiccup's eyes danced across the titles, ranging from The Fine Art of Cooking to Bloodbath: How to be more efficient in battle.

"Ah, Hiccup! How have you been, my dear friend?"

Hiccup identified the voice immediately, turning around and responding, "Great, Trader Johann! Where've you been?"

"Many places, my dear friend, and along those trips I've collected many things as well! For example, this book!"

Hiccup glanced down at the plain, brown book Trader Johann was now holding. Hiccup frowned. "There's no title. What's it about?"

"This is a journal, Hiccup. Here, you can write all your thoughts, dreams, and adventures. These pages are just waiting to be filled!"

The idea certainly appealed to Hiccup, as was apparent from his grin. "What do you want for it? I have… uhh…" Hiccup frantically searched his pockets, hoping to find something he could give Trader Johann in exchange for this wonderful gift. However, all he found was a handful of flowers. Hiccup's face turned a deep red. "Sorry, Trader Johann, I don't have anything but this."

"That's fine, my dear Hiccup! Maybe this is a rare, exotic flower that's highly sought after in one of the islands I visit!"

The red vanished, replaced by a joyous smile. "So you'll take it?"

"Of course, Hiccup!"

Hiccup laughed, hugging Trader Johann. "Thanks a lot!"

"Any time, Hiccup, any time!"

{IntoTheRealWorld}

Gobber glanced down at the leather book in his hands. His brow furrowed in thought. What Stoick said couldn't have been true. Yet, the Chief had never lied to him, or any of the villagers. So why would he lie now? Gobber glanced down at the book again. There really only was one way to find out. Gobber sat down in his chair, and opened the book to the beginning, bracing himself for what might come.

{OrIsThisTheRealWorld?}

Two bright green eyes peered out from behind a rock. The orbs of light disappeared as a slightly older Hiccup hid again. His father had recently heard about his most recent accident, and apparently nearly burning down the docks was a lot more serious than last week's incident of nearly burning down half the village. His father often commented that Hiccup and fire did not go well together, and despite his father's best attempts to withhold him from any source of it, he still managed to get his hands on it. Needless to say, it never ended well.

Glancing around the rock again, Hiccup barely stifled a shriek when he saw his father. Looking right at him.

"Hiccup, come here right now."

His fathers voice was level, meaning he was in a lot more trouble than he thought. Hiccup briefly considered running, but that thought was dismissed immediately. While Hiccup was fast, he wasn't as fast as his father could be. Which often surprised him, considering his bulk. With his shoulders slumped, Hiccup came out from behind the rock.

"Yes, dad?"

"Hiccup, do you know what's happening today?"

The seemingly random question caught Hiccup off-guard. To his knowledge, it was a normal Thor's Day, just like last week. "Er, no. What's today?"

"Today, the Berserker tribe is visiting us."

Oh, that would explain why. Every year, the Berserker tribe would visit to renew a treaty. Considering Berk had cliffs on nearly every side, burning down the docks would mean no treaty. Which often meant war.

"Sorry for nearly burning down the docks."

Stoick glanced at his son, before placing his head in his hands, sighing softly. "That's not all."

"It's not?"

"No. How old are you, Hiccup?"

Hiccup rolled his eyes, "Really, dad? You forgo-"

"How old are you?"

It was now Hiccup's turn to sigh. "6."

"Which means this year, you'll be showing Oswald and his son, Dagur, around the village with me."

"Wait, so I get to meet another heir?"

"Yes."

Hiccup had gone from wary to excited immediately. Another heir meant someone he could relate to. While it may just be on status, it was something.

"When are they arriving?"

A long, deep sound echoed throughout the island, interrupting their conversation.

"That would be them. Come on son, time to meet the Berserkers."

Now I can do MORE evil stuff to Hiccup! I'm bad, aren't I? Not too much to say, other than I want to apologize again for how incredibly short this chapter is. Maybe I'll treat you guys to an extra long chapter next week!

Anyways, until next time!