A/N: And we're back! Thank you all so much for your patience, my laptops operating system took a dump on itself and I had to get it into Geek Squad and have them fix it, and now we're back in business! As far as this story is concerned, on the eve of Hiccup's wedding, he encounters the Riders of Berk and will be shocked that they're riding dragons. After a brief engagement with those who bullied and belittled him, Hiccup tells them to arrange a meeting between him and Stoick, I'll get into deeper details as the chapter progresses. With that said, let's get to it.
(Normal pov— Kingdom of Corona)
As expected, the Kingdom of Corona and its citizens celebrated the return of their lost princess as well as showering the young bounty hunter who had found and returned her with praise and gratitude. A celebration was thrown in honor of Princess Rapunzel, welcoming her home, and it was a celebration the likes of which that Corona's citizens had never seen before; for an entire week, free food was distributed, festivities were on display for all to enjoy, and the people were ecstatic that Hiccup Haddock was not only named as Frederic's successor but also that he had been baptized in the Christian faith and renouncing the Viking way of life. Of course, some of Corona's nobles didn't approve of Frederic's choice of successor to the throne, however, whatever opinions they had, they kept them to themselves.
Currently, Hiccup, now Prince Hiccup of Corona, was back at his house, preparing wedding gifts for his betrothed, Rapunzel, while she had been spending quality time with her family and being reacquainted after all these years. Of course, he had been offered a room within Corona Castle, however, Hiccup preferred to be in his own home, built by his own hands. Not that he was ungrateful to his soon-to-be-in-laws, he was, it's just that Hiccup was used to living off the lay of the land. He had moved only essential effects and items to his room within Corona Castle: his wealth that he accumulated over his five years as a bounty hunter and mercenary, maps, and charts of the world that he himself had made, and his journals as well as sketchbooks.
The prince has been working in his makeshift forge, finishing Rapunzel's wedding gift. It was a golden ring that bore runes along it. Hiccup had taught her how to speak Norse, so when he presented her with his gift, she would know what the runes meant. His second gift was a necklace that harbored a piece of a rare, yet extremely valuable stone he had earned as payment from an earlier job in China. This stone was called the Golden Star, and Hiccup had chipped a small piece of it and formed it into a perfect sphere, adding the piece of stone as a pendant for his soon-to-be wife's necklace.
Eventually, Hiccup got these two projects done, and he was delighted with the results. Smiling to himself, he pocketed the ring he would give to Rapunzel and then placed the necklace in a pouch. After taking a drink of water and extinguishing the flames in his forge, Hiccup recalled the days he would work away in Gobber's smithy back on Berk. Despite being "useless" in the eyes of his tribesman, Hiccup knew that had it not been for his efforts, Berk and its Vikings wouldn't be armed.
Scoffing softly, Hiccup rarely thought about Berk and those who were supposed to be there for him, the way he had suffered and endured by their hands, they were nothing more than an afterthought in his mind. The only two people he thought of often were Gobber and Astrid, but even they were beginning to become irrelevant to think back on. Hiccup had wondered what had become of the two people he loved the most on Berk, but as the years had gone by, he realized that they weren't worth thinking back on, they were the past, and Hiccup's eyes were firmly fixed on the future.
"Hiccup? Are you here?"
Stepping out of his forge, the prince laid eyes on King Frederic and a dozen of his household guards by his side. When the king laid eyes on the young man, he smiled, dismounted from his horse, and approached. "Ah, there you are," he then took in Hiccup's house and hummed softly. "I was unaware that you had built yourself a home. But Rapunzel told my wife and I that this is where you brought her when you rescued her from Gothel's tower."
Wiping soot and grime off of his hands with a rag, Hiccup spoke humbly. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but you didn't come all this way to talk about fine architecture," looking into the eyes of his woman's father, Hiccup smiled softly. "How may I be of service?"
"Our scouts have reported a large Viking army establishing a war camp on the coast,"
Surprised by this news, Hiccup shook his head. "Vikings haven't embarked on a raid in centuries. Unless... stories and tales of my exploits have motivated them to go out into the world and show everyone why Vikings are feared," sighing, Hiccup ran a hand through his sweaty hair before giving Frederic a curious look. "Did your scouts happen to provide you with the crests of the Vikings gathered?"
"They only managed to provide us with five," turning to one of his guards, Frederic acquired a neatly folded piece of paper that bore the Viking crests of the tribes raiding Corona. After handing the paper to Hiccup, Frederic tilted his head in curiosity. "Are any of these tribal crests familiar to you?"
Looking over the crests carefully, Hiccup inhaled sharply, he then lowered the paper before nodding at the king's question. "I know all of these five tribal crests," he showed two of the crests to Frederic. "These are the Meathead and Bog Burglar crests." He then pointed to two other crests. "These are the Outcast and Berserker crests, their leaders are... crazy, to put it kindly," Alvin the Treacherous and Dagur the Deranged would be a problem, Hiccup knew this, and he knew that whoever was leading this raid would need to keep a very tight leash on them.
"This final crest?"
Looking at the crest Frederic placed his finger on, Hiccup sighed heavily. "That would be the Berk crest. The Hairy Hooligans are led by Stoick the Vast, my father," handing the paper back to the king, Hiccup approached the front of his house and sat on a bench near the door. "I always knew that I would encounter those I expected to love and care for me. My past comes back to haunt me."
Well aware of the young man's past Frederic approached and sat beside Hiccup. "Sometimes, confronting the past is but a test to challenge a man's strength," the king looked at his soon-to-be son-in-law with a reassuring smile. "I have no doubt of your loyalties, Hiccup. But with your reputation as a fierce warrior, tactician, and dragon rider, the Vikings will badly want you on their side."
"I know,"
"What will you do if they approach you with an offer to join them?"
Looking at the king, Hiccup shook his head. "They could offer me all the gold and silver in the world and it wouldn't cause me to turn on Corona, Rapunzel, and this kingdom's fair rulers," looking to the heavens, Hiccup leaned back and continued. "My people rejected me because I wasn't Viking enough for them. Now I reject them, I have rejected them the moment they branded me as an outlaw." Running over the faded scar of the brand he once had, Hiccup concluded softly. "This is my home, and I won't let the Vikings ravage it."
Toothless, who had returned from the nearby river approached with a mouthful of fish. Laughing at his reptilian friend giving him puppy dog eyes while smiling with a mouthful of fish made Hiccup rise and snatch a fish out of the dragon's mouth, one that wasn't drenched in saliva.
Hiccup then turned back to Frederic, tilting his head. "Was there anything else you needed?"
Standing straight, the king crossed his arms behind his back and shook his head. "I just came here to inform you of the invaders," smiling, Frederic added. "Besides, you're marrying my daughter tomorrow on her birthday, I trust you have gifts prepared for her?" Hiccup showed the king both her wedding ring and necklace. The king was left in awe at the craftsmanship and heart put into each piece of jewelry, after handing them back to the young man, he voiced his praise. "I should've known a man such as you is one of many talents. Your craftsmanship is impressive."
"I've worked in a forge back on Berk since I was little, well, littler." Snorting softly, Hiccup pocketed each gift in his pockets. "I suppose my time in a forge served me well in this instance."
Chuckling, Frederic made his way back to his horse. "They have indeed, my boy," once he was mounted, the king spoke up. "I'll summon you soon to devise a plan on how we should deal with the Vikings." Acknowledging the king's words, Frederic and his guards rode off, leaving Hiccup alone to contemplate this news.
Vikings were here, his own people among them.
Sensing his rider was stressed, Toothless crooned softly, nudging Hiccup's side and giving him a worried look. Laughing lightly, the young man caressed his dragon's head and murmured softly. "It was only a matter of time before the past caught up to me, bud," he then continued to speak his thoughts. "They're here because my reputation and deeds have spread far and wide, they now seek to make names for themselves, as is the Viking way." He wondered if any of those he had grown up with had changed or if they were the same stubborn, hard-headed individuals he knew them to be.
Knowing Vikings, Hiccup wasn't holding his breath at all, especially in the case of his father and those who belittled and abused him.
"You know what, bud, I'm going to take a bath, after that, let's head to Corona," he then smiled at Toothless. "Besides, I can use the flight to forget about the Vikings, and I know you won't turn down a flight." Giving Hiccup a gummy smile, Toothless suddenly dragged Hiccup by the leg and ran to the nearby river where Hiccup usually bathed. Laughing out loud at his dragon's stunt to get him bathed and ready to fly, the young prince knew that despite wanting absolutely nothing to do with his former tribe and those accompanying them, he would need to confront them.
And if they refused, then they would taste his wrath on the day they chose to attack his new home.
(Kingdom of Corona)
"Ugh! We've been searching for this runt for weeks, he could be anywhere in Midgard!"
Rolling her eyes at Snotlout's whining, Astrid looked over her shoulder. "He's here, Snotlout, and I swear to Thor, if you keep complaining, I'll hack out your tongue,"
"Try it, and see what happens," Snotlout remarked sharply.
"Don't tempt me,"
Snickering, Tuffnut turned to his sister. "And people say we're annoying, I swear I'm half tempted to slice off my ears just so I don't have to listen to Snotface and Astrid bicker all the time,"
"Right?" She then pulled out a dagger and grinned. "You still want to go deaf, dear brother? If so, that can be arranged."
"Agh! I said I'm half tempted to slice off my ears," nudging her cackling sister in the side, Tuffnut glared at her. "Keep that dagger away from me, woman." The twins soon got in each other's faces, breathing threats to mutilate each other or worse.
Groaning, Fishlegs felt like his head was going to split open, he and the others had to leave their dragons behind in the forest outside of the kingdom they would be raiding, a means of drawing less attention to them, but the large Ingerman had just about enough of his companions bickering and antics.
"Aww, what's the matter, Fishlegs? Are we too loud for you, huh?" Snotlout prodded, noting how aggravated he was.
Turning sharply and sizing the stocky Jorgenson up, Fishlegs glared at Snotlout before speaking in a low tone. "For five minutes, can you please shut your oversized mouth?" Before Snotlout could reply, Fishlegs bore his teeth. "I'm trying to study the lay of the land and give our fellow Vikings a better chance of launching a successful attack. I can't do that with you, muttonheads, acting like children." Huffing in annoyance, Fishlegs continued his stride, a sketchbook in one hand and a charcoal pencil in the other as he drew the best way to enter Corona.
Astrid caught up to Fishlegs, nudging him softly. "Wow, I haven't seen you that aggravated in a while. Are you alright?"
"Fine. Why do you ask?"
Frowning at his snarky reply, Astrid continued. "It's just... you've taken a greater interest in Hiccup's exploits—"
"We shouldn't have treated him the way we did in the past and we shouldn't have had him branded as an outlaw," scoffing, Fishlegs continued to vent. "For Thor's sake, Hiccup was banished from Berk for bonding with a dragon, a Night Fury to be exact, and now we Hooligans ride dragons. If we hadn't banished out one true heir, I would have a lot more confidence in our attempt to raid Corona." Fishlegs, of course, lowered his tone as citizens of the kingdom walked by them on the bridge leading into the city.
Many people eyed them with curiosity, they weren't dressed in their Viking armor and furs, instead, they were dressed in common Scandinavian attire and without their weapons, again, as a means of not drawing attention to themselves.
Sighing heavily, Astrid remarked softly. "I admit, we shouldn't have had Hiccup branded as an outlaw. Despite finding it hard to believe that Hiccup, the same Hiccup who seemed to bring bad luck to us all back in the early days is now one of the most men in the world is laughable, but it's not a jest, he... eclipsed all of us, just as he said he would all those years ago—"
"Bah! I'd like to see him try and take us on," Snotlout laughed arrogantly. "He's one man, after all, and we're many."
"One man who traveled places no Viking has ever gone to and has amassed more wealth than we've ever seen," Fishlegs pointed out.
"Gods, already sucking up to him when we haven't even seen him yet," scoffing in disgust, Snotlout then let out a pathetic whine. "And how is it that that scrawny, talking fishbone is about to get married?"
"Our little Hiccy has grown, Snotlout," Tuffnut sighed before smirking. "I wish I could say the same about you, but..."
"...you behave as though you were still at your mother's tit," Ruffnut laughed.
Before Snotlout could strangle the two twins making fun of him, Astrid shot them a murderous glare as they all reached the kingdom's entrance. Keeping quiet, the group of young Vikings saw white banners with a gilded sun in the center, signifying that the kingdom would celebrate the marriage between Hiccup and Rapunzel.
Citizens of the kingdom were all up and about as they went about their business, foreign merchants and traders had established themselves in the marketplace and attempted to sell their wares to those whose interests were piqued, and soldiers were on alert for any sign of thieves, ruffians, or lawbreakers of any kind.
"Look at this place, so ripe with plunder, and they don't even know we're here," Snotlout murmured.
"Right?" Tuffnut agreed quietly as he eyed anything of value: livestock, weaponry, or gold and silver. "What do you say we... have a taste of what's to come?"
Looking over her shoulder, Astrid scolded the male twin. "Not yet, Tuffnut. We're here to spy and get the inner workings of Corona's defenses, and that's it," the blond shield maiden continued. "I just hope the Christians haven't established defenses that are too strong for us and our dragons."
"Well, despite our efforts to keep our presence here concealed, the raids we've conducted on the local settlements and villages haven't gone unnoticed by the people here. I would be genuinely surprised if our opponents haven't begun to prepare for us attacking them," Fishlegs mused.
Suddenly, cheers and praise from the people threatened to make the young group of Vikings deaf as they all looked up to the sky as the people did. The sight that they laid eyes upon made their mouths gape open in both shock and awe. Descending from the heavens was the one and only Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his Night Fury.
"Welcome home, Prince Hiccup!"
The praise and adoration the people of Corona rained upon their new prince was such a foreign sight to the young Vikings witnessing this. In the past, they were used to seeing Hiccup being nothing but the black sheep, but that was five years ago, and that clearly wasn't the case anymore.
"You mean to tell me that that fine specimen of a man is Hiccup? The same Hiccup who was once a talking fishbone?!" Ruffnut's disbelief was then replaced with blatant lust. "Gods, he looks good,"
Astrid was both speechless and breathless, Hiccup didn't look good, he looked beautiful. The last five years clearly treated him well.
Of course, growing up, Astrid was fond of Hiccup, however, after her uncle fell to the Flightmare, it was both her parents and her own desire to become the greatest shield maiden the world had ever seen that burned down what friendship she once had with the former heir of Berk.
"Hiccup!"
Beaming brightly, the group of Vikings watched as Hiccup scooped up Rapunzel, spinning her around, the princess's joyous giggles caused those witnessing to smile. "Hello, my Sunflower," as he set her down, he caressed her cheek tenderly, "I apologize if I was interrupting anything here—"
"No no! You're fine," her reassurance was quick and followed by her pecking his lips. "I was just mingling with my people." Her beaming smile widened as music began to fill the air and people began dancing. Taking each of Hiccup's hands, she voiced her desire to dance, and her impending husband saw no reason to deny her.
The young group of Hooligans were speechless at what they just saw, the beautiful princess leading Hiccup away to dance was his betrothed.
"How in Thor's name does Hiccup have a woman that beautiful as his betrothed?!" Snotlout hissed in disbelief and jealousy that his cousin managed to find a woman and he hadn't.
"Clearly, this isn't the same Hiccup we knew as kids, Snotlout," Fishlegs stated with a roll of his eyes. "He looks... happy. Hiccup was never happy back on Berk."
"For what reason, I wonder," Tuffnut remarked in a sarcastic manner.
"Yes, for what reason," Ruffnut agreed.
For whatever reason, Astrid felt jealousy boil inside her as she watched Hiccup and Rapunzel dance alongside those participating in the dance. Her jaw tensed violently, her hands clenched into tight fists, and her eyes bore murderous daggers in Rapunzel's direction.
After hearing all of the exploits, adventures, and battles Hiccup partook in over the years, he would settle with a weak, feeble girl like that princess!?
Despite Hiccup's reputation as an outlaw among the Viking people, he should no longer stand as a skogarmaor, he should be by the side of his people and help them conquer the world.
Noticing how Astrid was practically trembling in jealousy, Ruffnut smirked. "Uh oh, looks like there's a hen in the rooster house," Astrid turned in the female twin's direction, ready to lash out at her, but was interrupted by Ruffnut's other half.
"Uh oh, yeah, another rooster in the hen house— wait, what?"
"Nothing," Astrid retorted before Tuffnut could continue. "Your sister thinks I'm jealous, which is completely ridiculous."
"Mmhmm," Ruffnut's smirk widened, knowing that Astrid was in denial.
"Trust me, the last thing I am is jealous," Astrid said firmly before looking back in Hiccup's direction. The way he looked so happy and so in love with Rapunzel caused the monster of jealousy inside her to roar louder and she felt a sharp pang of regret in her heart.
That could've been us, she thought.
"What do you say we head over there and get reacquainted?" Before the group could stop Snotlout, he barked out. "OI! Useless, remember me?" Turning in his direction, Hiccup's eyes widened only for a second before he turned to face Snotlout who was advancing. "You do remember me, right? After all, we're family,"
Snorting, Hiccup sneered. "You had a funny way of showing your... familial support, cousin," he spat the word like it was a rotten piece of fish. People backed away and guards approached with weapons raised, Hiccup, however, held them back.
Frowning, Snotlout tilted his head. "Why aren't you more surprised that we're here?"
"Corona's scouts already reported the Vikings landing here," Hiccup looked to the others and extended his arms out. "Welcome to Corona."
"Hiccup, I... I know we're the last people you want to see right now, but it would be for the best if we come to a mutual agreement of some kind," Fishlegs tried to reason. "Vikings are here on our first raid in centuries, so you'll understand why a prize such as Corona is worth taking—"
"You're not taking anything from Corona," Rapunzel stepped forward, glaring at Fishlegs. The large Viking flinched at Rapunzel's fierce tone as she stood before him. "Do you hear me? You're not taking anything from us or my impending husband, you've already taken enough from him, but you won't take any more--"
Laughing, Tuffnut grinned. "We're Vikings, beautiful! We take what we want when we want!"
"Not here you won't," Rapunzel said in a low tone.
"Bold words for such a little girl,"
Astrid's remark caused Rapunzel to look in her direction. Snorting softly, the princess eyed the shield maiden from head to toe before crossing her arms across her chest. "And you must be Astrid," nodding softly to herself, Rapunzel continued. "Hiccup told me much about you, most of what I've heard is pretty bad."
"You don't know me—"
"I know enough. You hurt this amazing man for the sake of glory," Rapunzel then smirked. "And how goes your pursuit of fame? Because I've only heard about you from Hiccup and nowhere else."
Astrid's hands clenched into fists once more, only this time, she wanted to attack the girl who was mocking her and her pursuit of glory, but she stopped herself; she knew Rapunzel was trying to goad her into doing something stupid, but if she were to lash out at Corona's princess, they would either be imprisoned or executed. Evening her breathing, Astrid looked at Hiccup who had a neutral facial expression, it was as if he had completely moved on from them and had nothing to say to them...
...not that his response wasn't justified, after all, they disregarded him for years.
Standing by Rapunzel's side, Hiccup wrapped an arm around his betrothed and then glared at Astrid and the other young Hooligans. "Take a message back to my father, if he's still Berk's chief. This is what I say: leave Corona and its people alone. Refuse, and this raid will be your last," gesturing to the front gate, Hiccup made a dismissive sound.
"And what if we don't?" Snotlout challenged smugly.
Before the stocky young Jorgenson had time to blink, he was kicked to the ground and had a boot pressing into his throat, cutting off his airflow. Clawing at Hiccup's right foot, the new prince of Corona watched his cousin fight to catch his breath but found it impossible because of his strength. "If you don't do what I say, then I'll have the rest of the gang here take you back to your family with that head of yours split open," Snotlout blanched at his cousin's cool tone and his threat, seeing callousness in Hiccup's eyes. Grinning at the feat in Snotlout's eyes, Hiccup nodded. "Now you know what it felt like to be me. Whenever I was at the mercy of your cruelty and that of the Hooligans, I was terrified that they would kill me because I wasn't like them. But I conquered my fear of man a long time ago." Removing his foot from Snotlout's throat, Hiccup turned to the guards and nodded at them. "Escort them out of here." As the guards led the young Hooligans out of the kingdom, Astrid looked over her shoulder.
"We'll send you a message via Terror Mail,"
"Can't wait," Hiccup remarked sarcastically.
As his former tribesmen were out of sight, Hiccup stormed off, pushing through the people until he reached a nearby fountain. Breathing heavily, the prince took in his reflection in the water and groaned in annoyance. Why couldn't he just spend the rest of his days in peace with the woman he loved? Now he needed to prepare to face his father as well as those who wanted to tear him to pieces because he had bonded with a dragon and that he didn't live up to their standards.
"Hiccup? Are you alright?"
Turning around to see both his betrothed and Toothless approaching, Hiccup blinked away tears and nodded. "Of course, Sunflower, I just... that was unexpected we," while running a hand through his hair, Hiccup scoffed softly. "I wasn't expecting to see them ever again, and yet here they are, in Corona, alongside other Vikings who wish to claim glory, fame, and riches." Approaching his betrothed, Hiccup wrapped his arms around her and murmured into her golden locks. "I refuse to let them take you away from me."
"They won't take me away from you, Hiccup," Rapunzel pulled away from his arms to look into his eyes. Giving him a reassuring smile, she gave a firm nod. "We'll face them. Together. As husband and wife."
Smiling, caressed her cheek. "I like the sound of that," before the two could come in for a kiss, Toothless nudged himself between the two of them, seeking affection. "Toothless, really?" Hiccup groaned, Rapunzel, however, laughed as she obliged the Night Fury's request for affection. Bells from the castle suddenly rang, causing both Hiccup and Rapunzel to look in the direction of the castle and then back at each other. "I can imagine that's your parent's way of telling you to head back home?"
"Well, tomorrow is a big day, after all, I'm marrying the man I love and it's my birthday," Rapunzel smiled before leaning up to kiss Hiccup. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Likewise, my Sunflower,"
After sharing one last kiss, Hiccup watched as his betrothed walked away. But when Rapunzel looked over her shoulder and smiled at him, Hiccup couldn't help but feel breathless at the sight of his betrothed. With the sun setting, her hair illuminated, making it seem as though her flaxen locks were rivers of gold. Her ivory skin was without blemish and seemed to radiate and her dazzling green eyes sparkled like gleaming emeralds.
Hiccup was left breathless.
"What?"
Approaching her, Hiccup wrapped his arms around her, breathed in her scent, and chuckled lightly as he pulled away to look into her eyes. "Just eager to spend the rest of my life with you too," grinning at her blushing face, Hiccup kissed her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning."
"I'm looking forward to it,"
Releasing each other, Hiccup watched his betrothed enter the palace, but not before blowing him a kiss. Once she was inside, Hiccup turned to Toothless and patted his dragon's head. "Let's go home, bud," nodding, the Night Fury waited for Hiccup to mount his back before taking to the air.
In the weeks following their arrival, the Vikings had been raiding local settlements and towns leading to Corona, in an effort to spread fear and terror throughout the land, a tactic that was working. Each settlement the Vikings took forced the people living there to flee for their lives and retreat and spread the word that hostile invaders were ravaging the lands. What little wealth or possessions the settlers had in their possession, whether it ranged from gold to livestock, the Vikings took and split it amongst themselves as they continued to march upon Corona. The tension between the various tribes and groups participating in the raid was thick because they had often fought each other in the past, but law and order were established, by order of Queen Una, the instigator of this Viking raid.
Still, despite the leader of the Shivering Isle's laws being established to ensure the peace between the various Viking tribes partaking in this raid, Stoick was keeping a close eye on those Berk was not fond of.
Currently, Stoick had finished meeting with the other Viking leaders and was now leaving Queen Una's war tent. Gobber was outside, waiting for him, and the blacksmith noted the stern scowl on Stoick's face the moment he left the war tent.
"Eh, Queen Una gave you trouble then?"
"No. She's giving Alvin the Treacherous the honor of leading his band of criminals and thieves a chance to regain their honor by trying to slip past the enemy defenses and allow our forces to sack Corona while they're unaware of what we're doing," Stoick huffed in anger while shaking his head. "Alvin is not to be trusted, he's Alvin the Treacherous for a reason!"
"Aye, you know Alvin better than Una, but while we're here under her command, we need to follow her laws," snorting softly, Gobber spoke his mind. "I'm honestly surprised that Una allowed Alvin and his Outcasts to partake in this raid in the first place. They're all nothing but thieves, murderers, rapists, and criminals."
Stoick's scowl disappeared when the word "criminal," left Gobber's mouth. His son was branded as a criminal for bonding with a Night Fury five years ago, and now Vikings ride dragons themselves, all because of Hiccup's example.
"Oh, Gobber, I feel like such a fool. Why didn't I just listen to Hiccup, for once?" Stoick turned to his old friend and shook his head. "Hiccup, my son, rides a Night Fury and has made a strong name for himself in Midgard, one that will be remembered. Had I just listened to Hiccup for once, maybe he would be by our side in this raid." Chewing softly on his bottom lip, Stoick then looked to the setting sun. "I feel like a hypocrite. And should Hiccup agree to talk with us, his resentment for us will grow because we cast aside radiation by walking in his footsteps and now ride dragons."
"You can't change the past, old friend, as much as we wish we could, we can't," Gobber patted Stoick's back and continued. "I know you feel guilty for how you treated Hiccup and for casting him out of Berk, but if your son agrees to talk with us, you have the opportunity to make amends with him. Don't take that opportunity for granted."
Before Stoick could reply, the elder Haddock looked to the sky once more and saw Astrid and the Riders of Berk descending. Once they were back on solid ground, they approached Berk's chief and blacksmith.
"Well? What news?" Stoick asked, curious as well as hopeful.
"Hiccup is open to speaking with you,"
"Why is that, I wonder?" Spitelout Jorgenson spoke up, now standing by his brother, Stoick.
Turning to the elder Jorgenson, Astrid's words caused everyone to look at her with shock and disbelief. "He's... getting married, to Corona's long-lost princess— Rapunzel," she continued softly. "He's already a prince of Corona, and will undoubtedly be entrusted to ensure Corona is protected from us."
Queen Una, who too emerged out of her war tent, could hear the Hooligans talking before she joined the conversation. After hearing that Hiccup was entrusted to protect Corona from the Vikings, she pursed her lips while nodding in acknowledgment. "Very well. Prepare to receive Hiccup Haddock, we shall hear what he has to stay," crossing her arms behind her back, she raised an inquisitive eyebrow at Stoick. "Are you prepared to face your son in both negotiations and in battle?"
Turning to the leader of this raid, Stoick sighed heavily. "Do I have a choice?"
"No, you do not," Queen Una then addressed all the Vikings gathered. "Prepare yourselves! The days ahead of us will put us all to the test. Ensure that we make sacrifices to the gods, double our sentries throughout the war camp, and await Hiccup Haddock's arrival." Acknowledging the words of Queen Una, the Vikings dispersed and went about their own business.
Before Stoick retired to his tent for the night, he looked to the now-darkening skies and knew that soon enough, he would have to face the boy he once disregarded and most likely take in the full brunt of his son's resentment, hurt, and anger. However, Stoick hoped that the meeting between him and his son could be a new beginning to rekindle their relationship and make things right.
Soon enough, Stoick thought as he entered his tent.
A/N: Again, thank you, guys, so much for being patient, I greatly appreciate it. The next chapter is about Hiccup and Rapunzel's wedding as well as smutty goodness, so stay tuned for that! But in the meantime, I'll catch you all in the next update!