Going Up For Adoption, You're Big Grump

The crowd had cheered as their Chieftain had finally bonded with a Dragon of his own. The newcomers settled immediately as they saw that these Vikings would mean no harm to them. Eventually the congregation of Dragons and Vikings returned to the celebrations.

Whilst Stoick was grateful towards all of the generous and 'interesting' gifts given in his honour, he could not take one eye off that magnificent beast. He had received drinking goblets, swords, fur rugs, ale, gold, helmets even. All were great presents, but all were eclipsed by the unique offering that had been brought by his Son. He could see why the lad had chosen this Dragon. It, no he, radiated power, intelligence and he definitely looked a fighter. He had listened to Hiccup's account of how Skullcrusher had dealt with the Monstrous Nightmare, and how, thanks to his sense of smell, they had managed to find their last companion and wiped the floor clean with Dagur and the Berserkers. The Chief of Berk had had some astounding surprises for his birthday, but thus one had eclipsed the lot.

Stoick looked towards his Heir, taking up his ceremonial place at his Chief's side, Astrid Hofferson close to his side, both standing at ease as their Chief took his presents, She kept throwing longing glances at Hiccup. He was proud of his Heir, and grateful for his considerate gesture. Hiccup had gone the extra mile in finding his Sire a present, an unusual present by Viking standards, but that what made it so significant. Skullcrusher beat a sword or a bottle of ale any birthday. He was also not the only new resident to Berk .

The four Terrible Terrors cautiously approached the hunched Viking with the tall staff. She was surrounded by others of their kind, so she must be trustworthy. The Elder Viking was feeding her brood giblets of chicken, whilst other nuzzled up against her furred clothed form. Gothi spotted the four newcomers and hobbled forward, leaning on her staff, hovering over the four with a scrutinizing stare. The little Dragons all shuffled uncomfortably under the Elder's gaze. Then slowly she leant away from her staff and lowered her hand to them. The bravest of the quartet crawled forward cautiously, it lingered for a moment, then closed its eyes and made contact with Gothi's tattooed hand. The three others followed suit and all four never left her side for the rest of the day.

Hiccup had led the Monstrous Nightmare away from Skullcrusher soon after making introductions between the Rumblehorn and his Chief, to avoid any confrontations between the two Dragon's, in result probably ruining the celebrations. Hiccup had just the right pair of Vikings for the Nightmare.

'Hey Mulch, hey Bucket,' the Pride of Berk addressing the mismatched two.

'Ahh hey there, Hiccup, it's nice to see you're keeping well,' chirped Mulch, saluting the young Viking with his hook. Bucket waved with a friendly smile.

Hiccup smiled back. Whilst the rest of the Village saw the pair as mishaps, tolerated by their occupations in providing fish and farm produce, Hiccup had always liked them. They were actually pleasant company, never meaning any real harm to Hiccup or anyone else. Pride of Berk had also remembered that they had defended Toothless from the rest of the Village when the lightening storms had wreaked havoc across Berk. Whilst they had said they stood with the Chief at the time, they had helped prevent Mildrew and the other Vikings from exiling Toothless and tipping him over the Edge of the World. Hiccup had been grateful for their noble intervention and had never been able to find the right way to reward them for their loyalty. As the Pride of Berk had landed on Berk and spotted the pair, he recalled Snotlout using Hookfang to round up a catch of fish the previous year and that was when the idea came to him.

'Mulch, Bucket, have you guys thought about recruiting a new crew member to your fishing team,' stated Hiccup, gesturing to the Monstrous Nightmare behind.

'You found us a Dragon,' Bucket piped up excitedly. 'Oh can we keep it, can we keep it,' begging Mulch like a giddy child. 'I've always wanted one. Not a Skrill, though.'

Both remembered quite well, the incident surrounding the Skrill and Berserkers. Mulch looked from his friend to the drake in front of him, and nodded.

'Wellll, we could do with an extra hand, well claw, in fishing trips,' Mulch corrected himself, looking at the huge reptile. 'Plus we're in the minority without a Dragon of our own.'

'Then it's settled then,' Hiccup announced. 'Guy's you know what to do.'

The two fisherman nodded and stepped forward, holding their hands and keeping eye contact with the newcomer. The dark purple Dragon cocked its head to one side for a moment, taking in the pair. He then closed his eyes and lowered his head, touching both Vikings hands.

'Seacatch,' the mismatched pair had both said. The three remained inseparable for the rest of the day.

After finishing dropping off Seacatch with his new owners, Hiccup went off to try to bond off the Hotburple. He remembered that there had been another great influence on his life that had existed before the Peace with the Dragons. The Pride of Berk had observed the last Dragon of his small fleet of airborne reptiles during their journey home. The Hotburple, had been somewhat of a blunt and direct character, constantly taking naps or throwing up molten metal, meaning well and no harm, but sometimes, during being the source of the problem without intention. It possessed a warm, relaxed attitude to life. Hiccup grinned to himself. Whilst there was no such thing as perfect, he knew just the right Viking for this Dragon. As the Heir of Berk, he was going to put his rank to good use for the wellbeing of Berk and its residents.

'Hey there, Gobber,' Hiccup addressed the blacksmith.

'Oh hey there, Hiccup lad, nice to see you finally,' chirped Gobber, hobbling over to the younger Viking.

'I've got someone you might want to meet,' Hiccup led his mentor to the Hotburple, the elder Viking catching on to what his former apprentice was implying.

'I don't know, Hiccup lad, I'm a blacksmith and dentist, not a Dragon Rider,' stated Gobber, scratching his rear casually.

'Well he reflects your personality actually, plus he ingests metal and throws it again, similar to a Gronckle, you'll get on just fine,' replied Hiccup, proud of his discovery. 'Plus as the Son of the Chief of Berk, I'm ordering you to take careof our esteemed guests whilst he's here,' he finished this 'order' with a knowing smirk.

'Does he now,' the Viking said with a tug of his moustache. 'Well if you put that way, I've no choice but to accept your 'order' and generous offer,' grinning back to his former apprentice, before turning his attention to the lumbering lizard near them.

The Hotburple stared towards the Viking with a lazy eye look, and lumbered forward, touching the Viking's outstretched hand.

'You're a right big grumpy ain't you?' chuckled Gobber. 'Grump, you like that?'

In response, Grump just sat him and starting snoring loudly.

'Yep, looks like he likes that name,' chuckled the Heir of Berk, giving the Dragon an affectionate pat on the snout before leaving. 'Catch you later, Gobber.'

Now he had bonded off all of the Dragons, Hiccup remembered he needed to visit someone else. Someone he had been wanting to see again since his return.

'Hello, Astrid,' announcing his presence to the person of his desires. She responded with a light punch in his shoulder.

'You took your time finding me Hiccup,' responded Astrid, smiling as the Pride of Berk wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing the Hofferson into an embrace.

'Saving the best until last Milady,' he chuckled with a grin.

'I've got to admit you've got a way with words, I'll give you that,' replied the Shield Maiden, returning his grin with her own. 'So, you managed to find a Dragon for your Dad's birthday then.'

'It seems so,' Hiccup grinned, taking her hand in his other hand.

'Well, it's nice to see you've come back safe Hiccup.'

The pair stood staring at one another before they leant in and shared a deep, lingering kiss, whilst the celebrations continued around them.

Thanks for the wait guys. Put a lot of thought and effort in the last couple of chapters, so I ran out of ideas. I hope you enjoy.