After lunch, the Haddock family took a family flight through the Ice Realm and into what Hiccup had labelled the King's Realm because it was Toothless's home realm, and the Fury species as a whole lived there.
Halfway through the realm, Hiccup pointed to a nearby cave system and shouted over the wind. "Land there, Bud."
Toothless did as his rider asked and landed at the mouth of the cave. Hiccup glided off the Night Fury, then turned to help Zephyr down. "So what do you guys think? Is this not the most perfect spot to build a winter home or what?"
Astrid jumped off of Stormfly and caught Nuffink as he leapt into her arms. "Well, it's bigger than our current cave, with plenty of vegetation and wildlife. Certainly won't have to worry about rations. But I thought you found a place to build a home."
"And I did," Hiccup insisted. "This cave has practically morphed into one. To each side was several small caves that can be turned into rooms for the kids, a workshop, our own room, a kitchen, etc. We can easily carve windows, custom-fit doors, and a forge. You name it; this cave can provide it. Plus, at the end of the cave is fresh flowing water."
Astrid stepped a bit further into the cave. "Okay, I guess I can see the potential after we add a few homey touches."
Hearing their mom agree to the idea of the being their winter home, the kids ran into the cave to explore every inch of it.
"I want the biggest cave," Zephyr shouted.
"No, I do," Nuffink replied. "I'm the second man of the house, so I get the biggest room."
Hiccup and Astrid laughed at their kids' antics as they sat down to wait for the little ones to get tired and come back.
"Why don't you stay behind for a couple of extra weeks to get everything started," Astrid suggested. "So that way, we don't have to worry about beds when we get back. I'll send a boat to fetch you as soon as the kids and I get back to Berk."
Hiccup looked over at Astrid and raised a quizzical eyebrow. "You sure about that? Earlier, you were ready to drag me back to the boat and leave. Now you want me to stay behind?"
Astrid shrugged. "In my defence, I was worried you'd stay and not come back. Now that I know you're coming home no matter what, I'm fine with you staying back for a bit to get this home ready."
"It'll take over a couple of weeks to build the beds. But, first, I'll have to make a forge, Gronkle iron, wood, etc."
"How long are you thinking?" Astrid asked.
"Two months," Hiccup guessed. "At least that way, even if they're not fully built, I'll just have to finish putting them together when we return in the winter."
Astrid nodded. "Sounds reasonable. In the morning, the kids and I will start loading the ship back up and leave the next day. We'll tell them the plan at dinnertime."
"They won't like it. They've never been away from me for that long," Hiccup realized. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea."
"They'll be fine," Astrid reassured. "It's not like it's the first time you've been away from them. You've taken plenty of trips without them."
"Yeah, but that was only for a couple of weeks to visit and trade with other tribes," Hiccup countered. "Do you really think they can handle two months without me?"
"I'm positive our kids will be just fine," Astrid stated confidently. "To prove it to you, I'll write you a letter every day about what they did and how often they asked about you. That way, when you get home, you can read the letters and see for yourself how fine they were. Sound like a plan?"
Hiccup nodded. "Sounds like a perfect plan."
Hiccup stood on the rocky shore of the entrance, waving goodbye as his family disappeared in the distance. Toothless stood next to him, roaring his goodbyes.
Once the boat was completely out of sight, Hiccup turned to the Night Fury and spoke. "Alright, Bud, let's get to work. We've got a lot to do in the next two months."
Johann stood in the room he had taken just above the tavern. Maps and statements from witnesses who claimed to have seen the Berkian Chief in recent years were pinned to the wall. He discovered that Hiccup had found the Hidden World, thanks to those witnesses. Now, he, himself, had to find it. But, in order to find it, he had to find New Berk.
"Where are you hiding?" Johann asked, staring at a drawing of his nemesis. "You can't hide from me forever."
As he finished talking, the door burst open, and two of his men came in. "We found someone who knows where New Berk is."
"Excellent, bring him to me," Johann ordered.
A third man walked in between the two others, dragging along a scrawny dark-haired younger man. The Hunter gave the man a good shove. "Go on, tell him where the Hooligan Tribe is. Make it snappy."
The young man caught himself and stumbled over to the maps, looked at them for a second, and pointed to a section of open water that had nothing except a few sea stacks. "Right around there. It takes about three weeks to get there by boat. Once you get there, finding the Hidden World should be easy. They're not too far from each other. Maybe a week or so of sailing. At least that's what I heard."
"And who exactly told you?" Johann pondered.
The young man shrugged. "No one, everyone. People tell me things. I have that kind of face, I guess."
Johan studied the man. "Yes, you do. You also talk too much." Then, in one swift motion, Johann pulled the man close to him, put one hand on the top of his head, the other under his chin, and pulled. The young never had a chance to scream before the sound of his neck snapping was the only sound that filled the room.
Johann dropped the body. "Dispose of this garbage, then ready a ship. I want to leave within the hour."
Two of the men picked up the body and carried it away while the third man closed the door behind them. Leaving Johann alone once again.
A little over a month later, Hiccup had made significant progress in preparing the cave system for his family. Thanks to a couple of Timberjacks and Razorwhips, the beds were almost done. A couple of Gronkles happily munching on the rocks that made Gronkle Iron were in the makeshift forge. So far, Hiccup had made several bucketfuls of nails, a new shield, and a couple of hunting spears. His next step was a new leg and sword.
Whenever Hiccup took a break from the cave, he'd walk a few miles away to a tree he'd carved a seat into. It was the one spot that overlooked the entire realm. It was a peaceful place to update his journals and enjoy the sounds of nature.
He had decided to leave his journals behind in hidden places throughout the realm; that way, if this place were ever discovered in the future, people would know how to handle and treat the dragons. He often dreamed that it would be a descendent of his that found it, bringing it full circle. He also wondered how the dragons would have evolved by then and how different they might look. So many of them could intermingle with each other and create new species.
As Hiccup was standing up to leave his resting spot, he heard a loud boom in the distance. However, the boom didn't sound dragon-made at all. Instead, it sounded like it was made by cannon fire.
A week before:
Johann and his men sailed into Berkian waters under the guise of needing aid. Claiming a rival tribe attacked them while out fishing. Johann stayed below in the Captain's Quarters, not wanting to be recognized.
While receiving supplies, the men overheard that the Chief was not on the island and was on personal vacation for about another month. No one would say where. Johann figured the lack of location meant that Hiccup was alone in the Hidden World.
"Perfect," Johann exclaimed once the news was relayed to him. "The irony of it all is just too good. His final resting place will be in the place he was meant to protect and keep secret."
Less than a week later, Johann's ship sailed into the waters of the Hidden World. After carefully navigating the small jagged sea stacks, they landed on the rocky shore that housed the entrance to the home of dragonkind.
"Drop anchor," Johann ordered. "Prepare to go ashore and climb down. We'll need weapons and nets to capture any dragons we find."
The men did as ordered and set about getting everything ready. Once everything was offloaded, Johann aimed one of the cannons at the ship and shot it straight through the hull. They all watched as their only means of transportation sank. No one dared question it out of fear. The madman had already made it clear that he didn't value anyone's life. The men knew that this mission meant certain death, whether it be at the claws of a dragon or the hands of Johann. Either way, soon, all of them would be dead.
"Let's get going," Johann said as he calmly walked toward to the edge of the caldera. "Dragons await."