The Berserker stared at Hiccup for a few moments in confusion. "You've been trying to find me? Why? And why is there a Night Fury here that isn't mauling you?"

"For the last part, this is Toothless and I trained him. We've befriended dragons on Berk."

Oswald's green eyes widened in surprise. "You've created a dragon army."

"No," Hiccup sighed. Under his breath, he mumbled, "Their whole family thinks that at first."

"Then, why do you have dragons?"

"They're our friends and could you please lower the crossbow? He's not going to attack unless we're in danger and it doesn't seem very safe right now."

Hesitantly, Oswald lowered his weapon. "I have no problem with dragons, but I've never heard of the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself being trainable. Are you sure he isn't just sticking around because you feed him?"

"Well, that's a depressing thought. I'd like to think we're a lot closer than that."

Toothless nuzzled his head against the Berkian to assure him that their bond was about more than free meals. Oswald watched the display of affection, intrigued.

"You didn't answer my first question. Why are you looking for me?"

"Because of Dagur. He needs your help."

The man lifted an eyebrow suspiciously. "Dagur asked you to find me? If he wanted to see me so badly, why wouldn't he come here himself?"

"He couldn't. He's being held prisoner on Outcast Island."

Oswald paused briefly. "How did that happen?"

"Berk and the Outcasts became allies to stop him after he found out about the dragons."

Letting out a sigh, the father held the bridge of his nose. "That boy. He attacked Berk, didn't he?"

Hiccup cringed and looked at Toothless for help. "Technically, yes, but he thought we had an army like you thought we did."

Oswald paused again. "How did the Outcasts get involved? I thought they were enemies of yours. What changed? Why would they help you?"

"Dagur and Alvin were working together for a short time and had a falling out. So, Alvin was on board with going after him. Dagur was going to be executed, but Alvin got my dad to agree to let him remain on Outcast Island as his prisoner."

"Then, the sentence has been decided. It was nice seeing you again, Hiccup, but I'm afraid you've come all this way for nothing." The Berserker lifted his crossbow again, aiming away from the pair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some wild boars to hunt. They have a different species on this island than what I'm accustomed to."

Hiccup observed him wide-eyed before picking up his pace to walk with the larger Viking.

"I didn't think that there was anything that could be done either, but apparently there is." He noticed how the man's eyes did not move to him. "Dagur took over without you dying or giving it to him. It's a problem within your tribe. If you think about it, he doesn't even have the authority to start a war against Berk, so it's not your whole tribe against us. It's just him."

"Which changes nothing."

"Not necessarily. His sentence was that way because of the treaty, but the treaty just was for our tribes. It didn't mention individuals. If you appealed to the counsel, you could argue that he went against your wishes, breaking your laws. You'd be able to decide what happened from there. I think they'd agree. As long as he's not going after us, they should be fine with what you do."

Oswald finally glanced at the boy from the corner of his eye. "You've done a lot of research for this."

"I've certainly tried to."

"I don't understand why. Dagur's never been anything but a villain to you. I wish that you hadn't been forced to endure his torments when you both were little. Unfortunately, there are times when being peaceful means that your voice isn't heard. I know my arguments fell on deaf ears."

"He actually said he was sorry."

This got the Berserker's attention and his eyes widened. "Dagur apologized? Dagur? My heir or are we speaking of another Viking?"

Hiccup chuckled a little. "Yeah, him. He said that he never knew what he was doing was mean. I believe him."

Oswald's wide eyes narrowed. "So, he decided to just blame me for his shortcomings. It wasn't that he was crazy or dangerous, it was that I did not teach him right from wrong."

"He didn't say it like that. I think he just meant that he struggles with knowing."

"But I'm sure he thought it like that. Well, I am not responsible for his actions. He is his own Viking and does as he pleases. He's always been that way despite what I would've preferred."

Hiccup could practically see the steam coming off the man. "You might be taking this more personally than you need to. Dagur never blamed you for what he did. He apologized for the war too. He admitted that he was wrong."

Oswald did not look happier, but some of the steam had lessened. "Good. Acceptance is the first step to healing."

When he was done speaking, he crouched low. Hiccup glanced around and looked at Toothless who appeared just as shocked.

"I can give you a ride back," he offered. "It would be faster than sailing. I think Dagur would prefer it if you came back before the night."

"I'm not leaving, but thank you for the offer."

The Berkian's jaw dropped. "You're not? You have to."

"Look around." Oswald gestured around them. "This is what true peace is. I'm here in nature, free to do as I wish. For once in my life, I don't have to do anything. I can choose to do whatever I'd like. If I knew there were possibilities like this, I never would have stopped traveling. I settled. Never settle, Hiccup. It gave me nothing but heartache. I thought I would settle with my wife, but I lost her and then my daughter. There's no peace on Berserker Island for me. Here, I'm happy. I want to remain that way."

The Berkian was quiet for a moment, letting everything register. "You really left, didn't you?"

"Of course, I did. Berserker Island is dull and the only time it isn't is when Dagur is causing a problem. Any sane person would leave."

"You don't have to be chief again, but–"

"But according to your suggestion, I would. I would have to say that he usurped the throne and then reclaim the position. It would make little sense if I complained about him taking my position and then gave it away to someone else, but I don't want it."

Hiccup sighed and looked at the man. "I get not wanting to be chief. I really do, but Dagur needs you. What Alvin's doing is just wrong. You're the only person who can help him."

Oswald closed his eyes for a moment, then turned to the boy. "You're going to tell Stoick that you found me?"

"I plan on it. Does that matter?"

The former chief put a hand over his face, scowling. When his hand was removed, he took a breath and calmed down.

"I'll sail back. I should be there by tomorrow."

He left the pair and returned to his shelter on the island, collecting his belongings so that they could be piled into the ship. Still a little confused, Hiccup and Toothless flew off for Berk. The heir was unsure what had just changed for Oswald, but he was glad that something had. In the morning on Outcast Island, Dagur went to the Southern Markets again. It was quiet in comparison to normal. Not many people had issues they needed someone for, so he was hired to manage some livestock for the day. It went smoothly even though Dagur had not taken care of yaks before. They were calm and he was a little bored, but he did not mind boredom since it meant that something terrible was not happening. When the other Vikings returned, the Outcasts took him back to their island.

They were bitter about what he had done to the four. If not for fear of Alvin's retaliation at having an angry client, they would have killed the yaks just because they were on the boy's watch. Instead, they kept the man's words in their minds and showed restraint until they got back home. Dagur tensely walked with them to the final cell, sensing the rage off them even more then than he had for the earlier portion of the day. As soon as they were there, they closed the bars and surrounded the Berserker, pushing him against the wall.

"You killed our friends," one growled.

"Alvin told me to make it convincing."

"But he never told you to kill anyone. You improvised that."

Honestly, the Berserker had lost control. Once Dagur had started, he felt like he could not stop. He had to see more blood and the life to fade out of their eyes. Some of him wanted to have that mercy Hiccup spoke of, but he did not think he was capable of such kindness. One of the Outcasts ripped out a handful of hair from the side of his head and he grimaced. On his cue, the others joined in. The attacks were more brutal this time due to their anger. Things were becoming personal. They knew Alvin wanted him to work, so they went just to the point of almost breaking bones. They stabbed around vital arteries. When their weapons and bodies were covered in blood, they did the second part of the attack.

Eventually, they exited, leaving Dagur to groan and cough up blood. He laid his head down and rolled to the side, but it brought no comfort as cuts covered him. Scowling, the Viking forced himself up to his feet and began training. One day. One day, he was going to be able to kill all of them and not worry about what would happen to his Berserkers. This gave him energy for the exercise and let him keep going. The previous day had been a success and he would love to have those no matter how small. He would not let them take that from him. Dagur had done well with the attack. True, Alvin never told him to kill anyone, but he was convincing. He was convincing because he meant everything that he had said and wanted to do everything that he had done. The Berserker wanted to do more than that. Even if he could not kill every Outcast, there were four less who would enter the cell.

Later in the evening, Dagur heard someone walking. The footsteps were loud, but they were also familiar somehow. It seemed like something he would never have paid attention to and yet could recognize distinctly. In disbelief, he got closer to the bars to see who was approaching. When he saw the visitor's identity, his eyes widened.

"Dad?"

Oswald stood by the cell, looking at the younger Berserker. Alvin was behind him and the father turned to the man.

"Could you unlock the cell for me to enter?" he requested.

Unsurely, the Outcast unlocked the bars and slid them open. The elder Berserker gave him a nod of thanks and walked through. Dagur stood where he was for a moment, just in shock. Then, he ran over and hugged him.

"I didn't think I'd ever see you again," he admitted, letting out a quick laugh.

Oswald patted his shoulder, then pulled back. The boy gave him an awkward smile.

"Where'd you go? Was it cool? I have so many questions."

"I went all over and beyond the archipelago. It was perfect."

The dark-haired Berserker's hand went to the prisoner's chin, turning his face to look at the left side.

"You got your chieftain tattoos," he commented.

"Yeah," Dagur said sheepishly. "I-I really didn't think you'd come back. Sorry."

"I wasn't going to. I expected you to get them. I'm not upset about that."

The boy got his meaning and his head lowered. Hesitantly, he glanced back up.

"Are you going to take over now then?"

"I suppose it's my duty to."

"They'll be happy to have you back! Vorg especially has missed you. Not too much has changed on the island, but I made a throne out of weapons. You can have it if you want or I could make another for you if you don't like the design," he offered.

Oswald's expression was unreadable and Dagur cautiously stepped towards the bars. When he did, the man stepped in front of him. Lifting an eyebrow, the redhead tilted his head at him.

"What are you doing? Can't we talk more on the ship?"

"We won't be going to the ship. You'll remain here."

Dagur's heart stopped, then he chuckled. "Come on, be serious. Now isn't the best time to joke around. Let's head back before it gets late."

"I am serious. You will remain here."

The prisoner's breathing quickened. "This isn't funny, Dad. I have to go ba–"

"Dagur," Oswald interrupted, expression harsh. "You're staying here."

"Why?!"

"To serve out your punishment."

"Haven't I already?" the boy lamented. With a miserable expression, he gestured to himself. "Look at me, Dad. Really look at me. Can't you tell? I've been here for so long and it just keeps getting worse. The lack of clean water is the smallest problem." He hesitated, starting to get flustered. "Alvin and the guards…they…"

"I'm well aware of what Outcasts do to Vikings," Oswald stated coldly.

"You know?" Dagur asked, looking at him with surprise in his eyes.

"Of course, I know. They're marauders. A band of raiders, Dagur. What would you expect of them? They show no mercy to anyone. An enemy would be the least deserving of it in their opinion."

"Then," the redhead said slowly, "you know why I have to get out of here."

"I will not dismiss your crimes simply because of our relationship."

"You don't have to, but can't I go to a prison on our island? We have one that's secure. I won't break out. I can rot there for the rest of my life if you want. Just get me out of here. I can't stay another night."

"Alvin told me you killed some of the guards."

"He wanted me to attack them!"

"You didn't have to kill them."

"Why is this my fault too?! He wanted me to freak Hiccup out and I did."

Oswald just shook his head and turned to go, but Dagur caught his arm.

"Okay, I got carried away. I do that sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"Fine, I do it a lot. I'm sorry. I'll work on it. I thought our people were in danger and I was mad at Hiccup. That's why I attacked. No one got killed, so it's over. Everything went back to normal for Berk and we didn't lose any lives on our side either. The only one still suffering is me. Can't this be the end of my sentence? Please?"

Oswald turned to look at him, glaring. "You started a war, Dagur. A war. How can you not process the magnitude of that? I've excused so many of your idiotic decisions and dangerous mistakes, but I cannot excuse this."

"I'm not asking you to," the boy said hesitantly. "I just want you to forgive me enough to not leave me here."

"I can't."

Dagur stepped back, hurt. The other Berserker had hatred in his eyes.

"You have no idea how difficult it was for me when I became chief," Oswald said. "I had to convince the entire archipelago that I wasn't leading a tribe of madmen and women. 'You're Berserkers,' they'd say. 'That means you're crazy.' It took me decades to prove myself and show that I was of sound mind and so were my people. A lot of Vikings still doubt that to this day, but I was able to change the minds of some. How do you think that looked when you were born? The Berserker chief had a crazed heir. Your mother and I knew that she struggled with carrying you, but we had Heather because we were so desperate to have a sane child that we ignored the risks. Look where that got us. She died in childbirth and you killed our daughter."

The prisoner wanted to say something, but the other Berserker spoke first.

"Everyone thought that you reflected me. If you were crazy, that meant I was too and only knew how to hide it better. You undid all my work. The only chief who didn't view me as incompetent was Stoick because he knew how it felt to have a disappointment as an heir. Then, what do you do? You attack his home. My only friend. You attack him, his Berkians, and his own child. Your very reason for existing seems to be to make me suffer. So, no, Dagur, I will not forgive you. I won't forgive you for opposing the peace I so love, for chipping away at the respect I had earned in the archipelago, and I will never forgive you for losing my child. Your sentence was decided. Accept that and all it entails. If you're meant to leave, Alvin will show you mercy and allow it. Appeal to him. You've wronged him less than myself."

Oswald took a step towards the exit but found that he could not move forward. Dagur had his arms wrapped around him. It was less of a hug than a desperate hope to cling onto the one chance for help that the boy had. He was on his knees.

"I didn't want to lose Heather," he insisted.

His throat was extremely sore. The whole time Oswald was speaking, the prisoner felt his heart breaking more and more. So, he swallowed hard and tried to maintain whatever composure he had left. Prison was no place for tears. He had shed none for his entire stay, not even the first time the Outcasts all attacked. He could not this time evening, but it was so much more difficult. The hug was cold. Frigid. It was like he could feel his father's loathing for him just seeping through his body.

"I didn't want to make you look bad to the other chiefs. I'm sorry. Sorry for all that and the war. Sorry for always being a problem. Just please don't leave me here! I can't take more of this!"

Oswald struggled against the grip. It was strong and inescapable.

"Let go," he instructed.

Dagur did not do as he requested and could feel his eyes getting watery, so he shut them tightly.

"They torture me in every way they can think of. The only thing that's left is for Alvin to throw me at the other prisoners and he will the next time I do something he doesn't like. I know it." His breaths became shaky and he trembled even though his grip did not weaken. "There are too many of them, Dad. I have too many injuries. Even if I were allowed to fight, I wouldn't be able to win. I want to get stronger, but it's hard because I keep getting wounded. I'm always bloodstained."

Oswald had a frown on his face and tried to push the prisoner off of him. "I said to let go, Dagur."

"No, because you'll leave! You can't go! I can't get used to living like this. I don't even want to get used to it. There's not a full minute that goes by without me being humiliated or in pain. I hate it when they come to my cell. It's so much worse than just getting punched. You're mad at me. I get that. I won't attack if you want to club me or slash me. Just don't leave me."

"I'm not slashing you."

"But leaving me here is worse! I want to go back home so badly, Dad."

Oswald still was trying to remove himself from the other Viking. Hesitantly, Dagur glanced up at him. He had a mix of hope and sadness in his eyes.

"You think I tried to get rid of Heather. It's treason to do that to a child of the chief. It's punishable by death."

"I'm not going to kill you either."

"But if there's ever been a moment–just one–when you didn't hate me, you'll help me."

The elder Berserker just looked at the Dagur with an icy expression. Seeing his answer without it having to be given, tears finally fell from the Viking's eyes. He buried his face in his father's tunic.

"Don't leave again. Don't leave again."

He repeated these words like a mantra, grip becoming tighter as he did. Seeing the angered look on Oswald's face, Alvin entered the cell and tore the boy away from him. It was almost difficult to do as the grip was so tight, but he eventually could. Dagur tried to get free, but his head was being tightly grasped by the larger Viking. Alvin was smirking at him and pulled him closer.

"Dad, please!" the redhead begged, still struggling but not having much energy due to the earlier attack.

Oswald turned away from him and exited the cell.

"Anything you want us to do with him?" Alvin asked, feeling bold as he glared into the prisoner's eyes.

The father let out a soft sigh. "Just keep him from getting into trouble."

With that, he left the prison. Dagur heard the footsteps fade until they were nonexistent. Alvin lifted an eyebrow and started to laugh.

"You Berserkers are full of surprises. I guess this just means that you'll be having a lot more fun with us."

Dagur did not answer him. Alvin shoved him, letting him hit a wall. The prisoner just numbly went to his knees.

"He hates me," he said quietly, voice cracking. "He's always hated me."

"Sure seems that way," the Outcast commented, chuckling.

He looked at the boy and was surprised by what he saw. Or, more accurately, what he did not see. The fire in his eyes was gone. In its place was despair. That was something that made Alvin extremely satisfied to see.