Chapter 2

Hiccup shifted the weight off his prosthetic leg and breathed a shuddering breath. He wished his friends were around, well some of them. He missed Toothless, his dragon and best friend, who would help him relax, and Astrid, his friend…girlf- anyway she would give him advice, or hit him, maybe both…probably both.

But Toothless was staying out of site in Hiccup's room and Astrid had left the day before on an overnight trip.

The visiting vikings filed off the boat. Each greeting Stoick with respect and occasionally nodding towards Hiccup.

A tall, muscular viking stepped ashore and pulled Stoick into a bracing embrace.

"Stoick the Vast, my old friend." The man clapped Stoick on the shoulder.

"Garknot the Wing-splitter." Stoick nearly whispered the last part, but it didn't matter Hiccup knew the stories about this viking.

He had become allies with the tribe of Berk by helping stop a herd of dragons from ravaging Berk. According to the stories he had at one point in the battle been cornered by three dragons and he defeated them by slicing one of the dragon's wings up the middle. The dragon had been so disoriented it spun out of control and knocked the other two dragons off a nearby cliff.

The viking was cordial enough, but he was known as a very talented dragon killer.

"Ah, and young Hiccup from what I've heard you've become quite the dragon conquerer yourself. From the stories I would have thought you were…well bigger…but I guess you always were a small one."

Hiccup bristled at the comment, but pushed passed it. He had to make a good impression."Yes…uh…sir. Actually there's something I need to discuss-"

"Ah, Hiccup don't you think we should let guests relax for a moment in the Hall before we jump into business. Don't ya think?" Stoick said.

"Ah, yes Stoick I agree, but first there is something that I think you should know…"

Someone stepped up behind Garknot. It was a girl around Hiccup's age and height. She had brown hair that was messily tied into a braid. Strands of hair fell around her face framing in her fair skin, freckles, and blueish green eyes that were very familiar.

"Keila?" Hiccup said in disbelief.

"Hiccup?" Keila said a smile forming on her face.

"W-wow I had no idea you were coming to! It's so good to see you! Wh-what about your parents? Are they here too?" Hiccup said hugging her.

Keila's eyes immediately were downcast, and Hiccup knew something was wrong.

Garknot cleared his throat. "They…um…they're gone. Killed in an attack."

Hiccup's breath seemed to stop and everyone got very quiet. Keila looked like she might cry.

Death was something that was common to vikings, especially when dealing with dragons, but Keila and her family were good people and Hiccup had been close to them when he was little.

Stoick broke the silence, "Yes…well let us go up to the Hall. It seems there is much to discuss." He looked like he was holding back a lot of emotions, then again he was a viking emotion wasn't exactly something he was good at, unless it was anger.

Stoick had been very close friends with Keila's father, even before he had married her mother. Hiccup could only imagine his father's thoughts at the moment.

They trudged up to the Hall quietly. Hiccup let Keila lean on him and Stoick and Garknot seemed to be discussing what had happened to her parents. From what Hiccup could hear a red dragon had attacked their ship while they were out scouting. The dragon had been so fast they hadn't even seen it coming till it was right on top of them. They couldn't tell what it was either. The dragon was driven away but the ship was destroyed and sank.

Hiccup inhaled sharply.

Keila looked like she was trying not to listen. She, like Hiccup had never been what you'd call a killer. She had always been gentle and soft-hearted. While you couldn't call her a coward by any means, she had never been very strong or particularly fierce. Now she looked just broken.

Hiccup thought he knew a way to cheer her up, but first he had to convince everyone that dragon's weren't the killers everyone thought. Of course, now that would be even harder it seemed.

Seeing Hiccup again had made Keila a little happier. After all they had been best friends when they were little, she just wished it was under different circumstances.

Everyone gathered in Berk's Great Hall and greeted old friends while getting some food and drink.

Hiccup looked a little nervous to her. Some of his friends came and sat down with them. It took a moment, but Keila began to remember their names.

The twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut, who when they were 5 used to set just about as many fires as dragons had.

The large yet lovable Fishlegs, the guy couldn't hurt a fly.

And Snotlout who was well…"Why hello there." He winked at Keila.

Hiccup rolled his eyes. Keila wondered if any of them would remember her, they had never exactly been friends.

"Who is your friend Hiccup?" Fishlegs asked.

"Don't you guys recognize her? It's Keila, my -"

Stoick yelled over everyone to be heard.

"Quiet down! Quiet down everyone!"

The rumble of vikings voices subsided. Everyone turned to face Stoick.

"Today we gather and celebrate old friends and alliances, and to honor those who can't be with us." Keila looked down.

"Now friends there is something we must discuss. This is not going to be easy, but I hope you will keep an open mind. Son?"

Hiccup gulped next to Keila and stood up. He went to stand in front of the Hall.

"Um…Hello…I'm Hiccup and I wanted to talk to you about…dragons."

The visitors in the hall watched Hiccup questioningly. The way he spoke unnerved them a bit. Hiccup realized there was nothing he could do but just say it straight.

"We don't kill dragons on Berk anymore."