How To Train Your Dragon

Vikings had never had much of a population problem in the few centuries they inhabited Berk. There have been deaths thanks to the infestation of dragons that lived around them, but that was surprisingly few in number. Most of their deaths came from starvation, the main issue they had while facing the dragon threat.

But they usually made up their numbers with the next generation or so.

However, while everyone in Berk had been born on the island, there is one who did not. He was found in a beached boat that could fit a dozen or so people the morning after a brutal storm. He was the only survivor, a miraculous thing that had many on the island baffled to this day, and all that was left for him was a torn cloth with the letters "Nar" on it.

With so little information, the boy was given the name Narfi and was taken care of by the chief.

As he grew older, Narfi really earned his namesake by being the most mischievous and sneaky little rat the Vikings had ever seen. He must be blessed or marked by Loki, the father of the god he draws his namesake, because he had never been caught for any prank or disastrous event even if everyone suspected him of it.

There was one person that he always relied on, however.

"Oi, oi! Hide!"

Narfi pulled the other boy into the bushes just as three men began making their way over, animatedly talking to each other. He put his hand over the other's mouth, keeping him close to his body so as to not make any sudden noise or movement that may arouse the attention of the grown men.

He could feel his friend holding his breath as the men got closer, but they both watched as the men continued past and down the path back to the village.

"Phew! That was a close one!" Narfi grinned ear to ear as he removed his hand from his friend's mouth. "You gotta be quicker on ya toes, Hiccup!"

The brunette boy glanced back at the blonde with a weak glare that did not phase the blonde. "Odin save me, why do I let you bring me on these hunts of yours?"

"Because if left alone, you would get yourself in trouble and have another moment to face the disappointed look of your father!" Narfi's instant retort made Hiccup's shoulders sag in defeat. "Besides, you are the second-best trap maker after me so I need you to help when I want to do something big!"

Narfi got to his feet and took a glance around before motioning with his hand for Hiccup to get up. "Now come on, we still have to lay the traps down on the other side of the valley. That should prepare for the next possible dragon raid."

Hiccup sighed but got to his feet and followed after his friend and adoptive brother. "I regret dad ever taking you in."

"You don't mean that," Narfi shot a smile over his shoulder.

Narfi's life on the island was privileged at best and scrutinized at worst. He was an outsider whether or not he was seen as one of them after all these years growing up on the island. His facial markings, animal-like whisker marks that were neither scars nor traditional tattoos, marked him as a half-beast to some of the vikings' eyes. Some abnormal offspring from the loins of Loki, if his mischievous nature was anything to go by and for the Aesir's penchant for transformation magics.

However, he was graciously taken in by Hiccup's father, Stoick the Vast, who is also chief of the village. Growing up, the man had hoped for two strong warriors; he had seen the arrival of infant Narfi not as an omen but as a boon for their future. It was not likely that a small child would have survived that horrible storm if they were not blessed by the gods.

However, it was not two great warriors he was given but after the loss of his wife the two children instead began going off on their own and doing things that were less and less like Vikings. He could understand Hiccup, who took more after their mother, but Naruto was a strong boy even if he looked scrawny at first glance.

Why are you not like us?

The question that Narfi had heard plenty of times and had grown more sick of hearing every day. Nowadays, if he heard that question he just set up a harmless but irritating trap that would inconvenience the person that got on his nerves. A prank he called it, others just said he was a nuisance.

"Bah, what do they know," Narfi shook his head with a grumble as he arrived at the spot that he would set up his next trap.

He would show that you didn't have to be a meathead like Snotlout to be a great Viking. Intelligence mattered just as much in their lives as strength, and he would show them that he and Hiccup can make changes for the better!

Hiccup shuddered involuntarily as he felt some foreboding sensation building in the pit of his stomach.

He sat at a long table made of finer material than he had ever seen. Its dark wood is smooth and polished to a miraculous shine, an immaculate creation of its builder. Even the white plates and clear glasses on the table were beyond anything he had ever seen.

He raised his head finally, getting a look at the people that are seated at his table. Their faces are blurred, making his temples throb so he had to turn away to ease the irritation.

"Are you okay, Nar-?"

The rest of his name was silenced but he could tell that it was longer than he was familiar with. He looked at who spoke and her face was blurred as well. But she had silver hair, exotic to the browns and reds and blondes he is used to seeing. She was wearing a beautiful cloth dress that is softer than the leathers his village usually wears.

"Nar-? What's wrong?"

He opened his mouth to speak but found it hard. "I- I don't know where I am. Who are you? Who is everyone here?"

The soft chatter from the table quieted and the blurred faces all turned to him. Even if he could not comprehend their faces, he could feel the solemn and disappointed emotions from everyone at the table. He clenched his hands in frustration, turning to the empty plate in front of him.

He was surprised to feel a hand on his fist, turning to the silver-haired woman that had spoken to him.

"It is okay," her voice is soft and understanding, even if a bit painful. "It will take time for you to understand, Nar-. When you do, we will be here for you. It is not the first time, and we have all the time in eternity."

He could not speak this time, finding his words dying in his throat. His vision began swimming and the last thing he remembered is the woman resting her head on his shoulder as she intertwined their fingers together.

Narfi bolted up from his bed, his covers falling to cover him at his waist, and his body sweated through his bedding. He was breathing heavily even as he wiped his clammy hands over his forehead and over his damp chest. What kind of vision was that?

So deep in his thoughts, he did not comprehend the sounds at his door until it was finally opened.

"Narfi, get up! We have to get to Gobber and-!"

He looked up when Hiccup stopped speaking and found his friend staring at his body while freezing at the door. He glanced back down, still mindlessly wiping away the sweat covering his torso, before just using the fur covers to get the rest.

"I'm sorry, I'll be ready in a moment," Narfi spoke softly as he was still distracted by the dream that slowly faded from memory. "You can make your way without me, I'll be just a moment behind."

"R-right," Hiccup nodded his head before leaving back out the door but sent a few glances over his shoulder at the distracted blonde. "I'll tell Gobber you're on your way."

"Thanks, Hicc," Naruto smiled reassuringly at his friend.