A/N: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon.

Back already. Got an urge to write some more, and here we go. Still plenty dark.

This time, we get to see Stoick's side of the story.


Stoick could feel his fury rising as he chased the cowardly boy through the woods. Why couldn't he be brave enough to face the consequences of his actions with dignity.
He could see the boy's stride faltering from exhaustion as he grew closer. Underneath the pounding rage within him, there was a tiny hint of admiration for the perseverance on display, but he quickly tamped it down. Even an animal would act in such a manner.

The chase continued, one driven by fury, the other by fear, but something had to give, and it did. The boy in front of him stumbled and Stoick caught the boy by the neck in one massive hand.
With the chase over, it was time to do his duty.
He picked the boy up by the neck and began the walk back.
Stoick could hear the strangled pleas from the boy in his hands, and each one only made him angrier.
As they reentered the village, the boy stilled in his grip.
When the boy awoke, chained to the floor of the arena, Stoick knew it was time, and with a heavy heart, entered and prepared to do his duty.

#

In the arena, he faced down the gathered crowd, and in a booming voice called out.

"People of Berk, it is with a heavy heart that I must uphold my duties as chief of this tribe and deal with the traitor in our midst. The boy before you is guilty of treason by providing aid to the dragons that raid our village. He not only released a dragon, but stole from our waning stores to feed it. The penalty for the accused is death."

It was time. He pulled the heavy axe from his back and approached the traitor.
Once he was within striking distance, he prepared for the final swing.
He could hear the pleas from the boy, but they only made him angrier. He called out once more to the gathered crowd, "This boy is not a viking. This boy is not my son."

The look of defeat on the boy's face gave him a moment of pause, then he swung.

As the axe cleaved the head off the traitor, his final thought was "Valka, forgive me for what I have done."

The traitor's head rolled as the crimson fluid spread across the stone.

He had done his duty, no matter the cost.


Hope you guys enjoyed.