Yes, this is the start of part II, and yes I said there would be a time skip. But it didn't feel right to lump it in with part 1 because of the nature of its contents. This chapter will be the final chapter before our time skip.

Also forgot to answer reviews from the last chapter:

Guest 1: Yeah as much as I like the stories where Hiccup is on his own this one will be a breath of fresh air in one of the most popular genres of HTTYD fics. Thank you for your support.

Guest 2: Thank you I'm trying to keep updates as frequent as possible.

It had been a day since the Nightfury had attacked the arena. The storm was slowly starting to calm down, the wind wasn't howling as much and the rain came down much steadier. The Chief found himself sitting at his hearth silently poking at the fire to keep it going. He preferred the silence not wanting to show his face after the string of moral and literal defeats. Stoick couldn't sit there and watch the village huddle around the fires knowing he failed them. The hall itself he dare not go, it'd bring up fresh wounds.

"Chief… Hiccup!"

Astrid looked terrified, something he hadn't seen on the girl since childhood, since Finn. Her pleas for help burned into his memory. She failed her duty as a warrior, failed her uncle, and failed him. His failure to protect his son forever etched into constant nightmares, nightmares he lived every day.

"What dragon?!"

"Nightfury…"

"HICCUP!"

Thunder rolled bringing Stoick out of his thoughts. A single tear had escaped his eye and made its way down his face. Stoick sighed and rubbed it away, returning his gaze to the fire. The wood popped sending sparks flying, all of them dying while in the air. All but one at least which floated through the air and around the hut. Stoick watched as it danced around the room until burning out near his mantle.

The spark had illuminated something on the mantle as it died. Stoick stood up and approached the shelf and grabbed the object in question. He brought it back with him to his hearth and inspected it. It was a metallic raven, forged by a blacksmith in the Viking stronghold of Kattegat, a gift to him by King Ragnar. The sigil itself was black, the raven's wings outstretched as if in flight as if it were flying to find those to come to the aid of King Ragnar. Stoick remembered the day well. It was the day Stoick's life began to take a turn for the worse…

It was a little over fifteen years ago that Stoick sat in a very similar position. The summer raids had just come to an end. They didn't go too well for King Ragnar, what was intended to be a simple quelling of an uppity king in Sweden turned into a months-long campaign. To make matters even worse the King's blood brother Rollo[1] had betrayed him and joined the rebellious lord. When things were all said and done, the great Viking army came out worse for ware.

Stoick and the rest of the Berkians were resting in Kattegat, licking their wounds after the hard months. The treens became vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Fall was coming which meant ice would soon be approaching. This also meant that leaving for Berk would become impossible. For Stoick, Gobber, and Ivar Hofferson, the changing of the seasons was just a mere footnote as the three men discussed the fighting.

"I'm just saying this England Ragnar keeps talking about just seems far-fetched. Don't you think?" Gobber asked.

The two others groaned. England was a constant topic around the village, the focus of Ragnar's dreams for land and power.

"Ragnar said he's been there and Ragnar has never lied to us," Stoick answered.

"I don't know why he didn't just ignore this lord. More of a headache to go after him than to just let him keep shouting from across the sea," Ivar told them.

"You're changing the subject," Gobber accused.

"Because I don't want to talk about England for the twentieth time today Gobber," Ivar defended.

Just as Gobber was about to continue the argument, one of Ragnar's warriors entered the hut.

"Hark warrior," Stoick greeted.

"Chief, a trade ship has brought you and your people here letters from Berk. I have one addressed to you and uh… one for Ivar Hofferson?"

"That's me," Ivar called out, hand raised.

The Viking nodded and handed the two men their letter, then left. Ivar and Stoick opened their letters. The Hofferson's letter was a simple I miss you from his wife. Stoick's letter from Valka was more than that. The Berkian Chief read the letter once, twice, and a third time. Tears began to escape his eyes as he shakily held the letter.

"Stoick?" Gobber asked.

Stoick didn't say anything a smile flashing onto his face as he wiped the tears away.

"Stoick, is everything okay?" Gobber asked again.

"Valka is pregnant."

The two men shouted with joy, Gobber the first to embrace Stoick. Ivar patted Stoick on the back, "Congratulations Stoick!" Ivar shouted.

Gobber broke his embrace, "This is big, your heir is on their way. You… you have to get home Stoick."

"We all do," Ivar added. "We've been far from Berk for too long it's time we head home before the ice sets in and the dragon raids worsen on the small garrison."

Stoick nodded, "I agree, I'll talk with Ragnar at once. Ivar, start getting the people ready for the voyage, Gobber you get the ships ready. "

Stoick's walk to the King's hall wasn't too long. The warriors guarding it simply greeted Stoick and let him through. As Stoick entered the main hall, he saw Ragnar and his wife Aslug standing over a map. Ragnar pointed to a section of the map which made Aslug shake her head in disagreement. Stoick decided to make his presence known and cleared his throat.

Ragnar turned to Stoick initially with a frown. Upon seeing Stoick the man smiled and began walking towards him. Ragnar wasn't much older than Stoick, his elder by about a decade. His brown hair was shaved on the sides of his head and formed a braid that ran down to his shoulder blades. Tattoos adorned his head where his hair had been shaved. A Raven on his right, and his life was filled with designs of boats, Yggdrasil[2] wrapping its roots around it. Ragnar also sported a short beard. While he wasn't a physically imposing man, Stoick easily dwarfed him in size but Ragnar made it up with his prowess on the battlefield and his sharp mind.

"Stoick, my friend!" Ragnar greeted. "It's good to see you please join us"

"If you have a moment I'd like to talk… alone," Stoick replied glancing at Aslug.

Ragnar nodded and glanced over to Aslug. She bowed her head and left the room. Stoick watched the woman leave before looking down at the table. Spread across it was a crudely drawn map of a land Stoick was unfamiliar with. It needed to be completed with many holes in the details, however, the coast was very detailed.

Raganr seemed to follow Stoick's gaze, "It's a map of England, or what we know of it. My few times there were mainly spent sacking their Christ god's huts or chasing the Saxons through the countryside."

"Sounds eventful," Stoick muttered.

"Just think Stoick," Ragnar began as he grabbed a cup from the table. "Once we set sail for England we'll conquer these lands for our people. Plenty of fertile land to farm, room to grow our families." Ragnar took a sip from the mug and then set it down.

"Everything we've worked towards is closer than ever before, I can feel it," Ragnar added.

"Ragnar I don't think-"

"And you'll be able to get your people away from those dragons you've been fighting," Ragnar interjected.

"That's all well and good Ragnar but-"

"Once the Archipelago is under our control the known world will quake in their boots!"

Stoick sighed, "Ragnar about that."

Ragnar, who was about to continue his rant looked at Stoick in confusion.

"I'm going back to Berk. My wife, Valka, she's expecting."

"That's great news Stoick, an heir of your own. Once we set sail for England and establish ourselves there you'll be able to-"

"I'm not going to England with you Ragnar,"

"What?" Ragnar asked, hoping he heard wrong.

"I want to be there for her before winter sets in, all of my warriors want to go home. We've been on campaign since summer began and all we've done is raid Scandinavia and fight your brother. Berk has contributed much to you Ragnar; The archipelago has contributed men to you as well. But we're tired, we miss our families and we want to get back to them before winter sets in."

"Stoick I… but we're this close to England you can't leave me now," Ragnar pleaded.

"England for Berk will have to wait until next year."

"Stoick you can't leave you hold much sway with the other tribes within the Archipelago. If you leave they'll leave too," Ragnar tried.

"Than that's their decision," Stoick argued. "It is not my place to tell them what to do or how to act. I speak for Berk and Berk alone; A chief protects their own."

"What about our deal Stoick?" Ragnar asked.

"What deal, you've convinced yourself that I was gonna be crowned some king or duke, whatever you want to call it, over the Archipelago. I never wanted that, I've told you I don't want to rule over the other tribes!" Stoick sighed to stop himself from continuing. "Ragnar we're going home and that decision is final."

Ragnar's face flashed a look of anger before he exhaled with a clenched fist in the air. The King nodded and put the cup down on the table. Ragnar closed his eyes and rubbed his temple.

"I see you've made up your mind. I don't think I'll be able to change it," Ragnar mumbled.

"You must understand where I'm coming from Ragnar," Stoick asked.

"I understand your dedication to your people and I admire that," Ragnar told the Berkian. "If you must leave there is but one thing I'd like you to do before you leave Kattegat."

"And that is?"

"Come with me to the Seer," Ragnar told Stoick.

"Your madman?"

"He isn't a madman Stoick, he's in tune with the Gods. I'm willing to bet he is more in tune with the Gods than your Gothi."

Stoick scoffed, "Gothi has never led me astray and you listen to this man like he knows all."

"He can see what Odin has in store for us. The Seer has never been wrong, he saw Rollo's betrayal and my rise to the throne. Please Stoick it's the only thing I ask of you so you and I can know what the Allfather plans for you," Ragnar asked.

Stoick muttered a few curses under his breath. He looked up at Ragnar who watched him expectantly waiting for his response.

"Fine…" Stoick replied after a moment. "Take me to your Seer."

Ragnar and Stoick approached a hut that looked abandoned. The timbers had rotted, black cloth was haphazardly thrown about the structure, and the smell of death lingered in the air. Ragnar made the first move towards the door and opened it. He looked back to Stoick and motioned for him to follow. Stoick shook his head and sauntered over to the entrance.

Upon entering the hut Stoick couldn't help but notice the lack of light. Bones hung from the ceiling, Stoick having to push them away so he could walk. In the center was a small fire and beside it was a black cloak poking at the fire.

"Who dares enter?" a raspy voice called out.

"It is I, Seer," Ragnar answered.

"Oh just you King Ragnar and here I thought you would leave me alone for a few days. The Gods have not revealed anything about you since you've returned but Rollo I assumed met his fate?"

"My brother is locked away for his crimes, as you said he would."

"The mighty bear has been hunted and now is the circus of the village."

Ragnar nodded, the final words the Seer had told him before leaving to go fight Rollo. "I'm not here for me Seer," Ragnar told the black mass. The King gestured to the seat in front of him. Stoick nodded and made his way to the stool. The Berkian Chief took a seat and eyed the cloak cautiously.

"Chief Stoick, I have been waiting for this day."

The cloak shifted and Stoick recoiled at the sight beneath it. The Seer's skin was gray, wrinkled, and leathery. His lips were black but the most gruesome of it all was the lack of eyes staring at him. Where his eyes should be was simply skin as if it had been dragged over them.

"Stoick is-"

"Leaving yes, I have seen his departure coming," the Seer answered, cutting off Ragnar.

As the Seer spoke, Stoick couldn't help but be disgusted at the sight before him.

"What kind of demon are you?" Stoick demanded to know.

"I am no demon Stoick the Vast, I am a servant of the Gods just as you are."

"I refuse to believe the Gods allowed a creature as vile as you exist," Stoick countered.

"And yet dragons plague your lands do they not?" the Seer replied with a laugh. "The king has brought you before me for a reason."

"Yes to hear about his future so that I can plan for it," Ragnar answered for Stoick.

The Seer nodded before prodding the fire once again. Stoick turned his gaze to the flame and watched as the Seer sprinkled some powder over the fire. The Seer suddenly jerked his head and looked straight at the Berkian Chief.

"Stoick the Gods have much in store for you," the Seer said with a sadistic smile. "A four-winged beast will take the feral one to their home. A man calling himself a savior will surround you with fire and chop the heads off the archipelago. A man frozen in fear will break a contract. The boy, your child will be cloaked in darkness and whisked away. And the Valkyrie will seek out her King."

Stoick's eyes narrowed at the Seer. The Berkian Chief shook his head, "Nonsense all of it and to think-" Stoick caught himself. "How do you know I will have a child?"

"Freya has already blessed you, your son and heir will weave a legend far greater than yours," The Seer quickly responded with a raspy laugh.

"How-"

"That's enough questions, leave me," The Seer demanded.

Stoick wanted to argue with the man but a tap on his shoulder from Ragnar prevented him. He simply shot The Seer a glare and stood from his stool. Stoick brushed past Ragnar and silently left the hut, slamming the door behind him.

Stoick saw Ragnar one last time at the docks. The ships had been loaded with supplies for the journey and the Berkians began to board one by one. Stoick and Ragnar locked eyes as the Chief set down a crate on his ship.

"If you'll excuse me," Stoick told Ack.

Stoick walked off the ship and onto the dock where he came face to face with Ragnar once more. Ragnar glanced at the loaded ships and then back at Stoick.

"It is a shame you are leaving me, my friend. I hope our paths will cross sooner rather than later," Ragnar told Stoick.

"They will and I don't need a seer to tell me that," Stoick replied.

"Stoick I-"

"Save it, Ragnar. How he knew about Valka is… it's unexplainable but I still stand firm that I don't believe he talks to the Gods. He tells you what you want to hear and that's that. There is no such thing as prophecy, destiny is the path we make for ourselves."

Ragnar nodded, "I see… You and I will agree to disagree then."

"That we will," Stoick told his ally.

"Well before you go I do have something for you." Ragnar pulled a metallic raven out from behind him. "It's a sigil, a reminder of our time. I hope that one day you'll return to Kattegat."

Stoick grabbed the raven from Ragnar. He trailed his fingers over the surface as he inspected it. "Thank you King Ragnar and this will not be the last we see each other. I have to see for myself if England is real or not one day. Until then, your grace," Stoick said with a slight bow.

"Fair winds and safe seas to you and your people Stoick the Vast."

The journey home didn't take too long and they managed to make it to Berk before the ice set in. There was calm after the army returned. The dragon raids ceased for the winter as they always did. Berk celebrated Snoggletog like never before that winter with a huge party and plenty of ale. The following February Hiccup was born and Stoick couldn't have been happier.

Stoick glanced back up to the mantle. Above it was a portrait painted a few weeks after Hiccup was born. A tear fell from his eyes as the lifeless Valka looked back at him. Stoick stood from his chair and approached the painting. More tears fell as he rested a hand on his fallen wife.

If only he had been quicker…

"Stoick!"

"Valka!"

"Stoick!" her fading voice called out to him.

Berk had been devastated by raid after raid following Valka's death. With Stoick needing to run the village Gobber and the Hoffersons offered to help share the burden of raising Hiccup. Ingrid had welcomed Astrid into the world not too long after Valka died. Ingrid had been close with Valka, the two were practically sisters. Stoick couldn't thank her enough for raising his child as well as her own.

As the two grew, Hiccup and Astrid became inseparable. One could not find Hiccup or Astrid without the other not far behind. Stoick couldn't help but smile about the countless nights Hiccup spent telling him what he and Astrid had gotten up to that day. Then one spring evening Stoick had gone to pick up Hiccup from the Hoffersons…

"Hiccup your father's here!" Ingrid shouted from the doorway.

"Thank you again, Ingrid, I know he can be a handful sometimes," Stoick thanked the woman.

"Nonsense Stoick, Hiccup is the sweetest boy on this island," Ingrid replied.

From behind her, the now five-year-old Hiccup appeared wide-eyed, out of breath, and sweating. Astrid made her presence known soon after, tagging Hiccup on his shoulder.

"Tag you're it!" the girl shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Astrid Hiccup has to go home now," Ingrid told her daughter.

"Aww," Astrid pouted. "Can't he play for a little bit longer?" Astrid asked Stoick.

"I'm sorry lass but he has to go home. Hiccup and I have to go to Berserker Isle in the morning," Stoick told the child.

"Aww!" Astrid pouted again. "Bye Hiccup," Astrid told her friend, hugging him fiercely.

"Why don't you start getting ready for bed dear while we talk with Stoick," Ingrid asked Astrid.

The girl nodded and ran back into the house. Ingrid smiled and turned back to Stoick, "These two can't stop. You should hear them, Stoick, talking like there's no tomorrow."

"Oh, I believe it Ingrid. Hiccup has to tell me everything they did and that normally tires him out," Stoick replied with a laugh.

Ingrid laughed as Ivar joined them in the doorway.

"Chief," Ivar greeted.

"Good to see you Ivar, fishing go well today?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Say Stoick do you have a moment so just the three of us can talk?" Ivar asked.

Stoick nodded and looked down at Hiccup. "Why don't you go home son, I'll be there in a moment," Stoick instructed.

Hiccup nodded and ran towards the hill, leaving the three in the dust. Stoick smiled and turned to back to the Hoffersons.

"That boy of yours is something, Stoick," Ivar said.

"Aye, he'll be a better Chief than I one day," Stoick responded. "If Astrid grows into a warrior like her Uncle and Father, Hiccup will have a powerful ally in your daughter."

"They're inseparable Stoick and I'm willing to bet it'll remain that way," Ingrid told him.

"Which is why I would like to begin talks of betrothing them Stoick," Ivar added.

Stoick nodded, "It's high time the Hofferson and Haddock clans were unified. Why don't we wait until I get back from Berserker Isle? Then we can discuss terms, a date, and a bride price."

"Agreed, Stoick."

When the Haddocks returned, Stoick and the Hoffersons negotiated a fair deal. Hiccup and Astrid would be married when they turned sixteen all in exchange for a herd of sheep, some gold, and the alliance of the two families. Everything was set in stone and all the families had to do was sign the betrothal agreement.

Then Arvin Dale's fire came to Berk and with it the Flightmare.

Finn Hofferson had been one of the very few casualties during the attack. Astrid shut everyone out of her life, mourning her Uncle. Hiccup lost his friend and the two parties agreed that it would be best not to go ahead with the talks. Hiccup and Astrid were never close again, not like they were. According to Gobber towards the end of dragon training, Astrid outright despised Hiccup.

As if things couldn't get any worse, the raids worsened. It wasn't just on Berk but all across the Archipelago. A meeting of all the chiefs was called and Stoick attended. It was there that Stoick and the others met the madman Drago Bludvist. The day was etched into Stoick's memory, the cries of the others stuck inside the hall as it burned. Only Mogadon of the Meathead Tribe, Bertha of the Bog Burglars, and himself survived.

Things continued to worsen for Berk. Raid after raid, constant rebuilding, and the loss of life had quite a toll on the village. It also didn't help that Hiccup's inventions also tended to leave the village in ruin. Things changed when he left to go find the nest and when Stoick listened to Gobber. Hiccup proved himself in the arena, he won the honor to kill the Nightmare!

Then the Seer's prophecy had struck again. Hiccup had been taken and the last of Stoick's bloodline died with him. Stoick wanted to believe Gobber; Hiccup could be out there. However, no one fought a Nightfury and lived to tell the tale… except if your name was Astrid Hofferson.

Did he blame Astrid for Hiccup's death? No, not entirely at least. Astrid had tried to help him by getting the village but she also could have stayed and tried to fight it off. For someone so dedicated to being a warrior, Astrid seemed to fail at every turn. For that he resented Astrid, she failed him and she had failed Hiccup.

No Astrid wasn't the cause of his death nor did he truly hate her. He hated the dragons who continued to kill his villagers. He hated the dragon who took Valka all those years ago. Stoick hated Drago Bludvist for killing his allies without reason. He hated the Flightmare for killing Finn. Most of all Stoick hated Ragnar and the stupid Seer of his.

Stoick growled at the thought of Ragnar sitting high and mighty on his throne. He could see the Seer sitting there laughing at his misfortune. The man had predicted everything aside from the Valkyrie and why did he refer to Valka as the feral one? Stoick shook his head he wouldn't pay any more attention to them. They caused him enough sorrow already and the sigil in his hand was a reminder of that.

Without a word, Stoick walked to the door and opened it. He walked towards the cliffs behind his hut. Stoick looked down at the choppy seas as the wind battered his large frame. The Chief took one last look at the raven in his hands.

"Curse you, Ragnar," Stoick whispered.

With a mighty yell, Stoick threw the sigil into the ocean below. Stoick watched as it disappeared into the water. Thunder rolled and Stoick turned away from the cliffs. As he approached his hut Stoick could've sworn he heard the sound of a Deadly Nadder over the wind.

Not too long, I got this one faster than I was expecting. I debated on going more in-depth with the Drago scene or Valka's "death" from Stoick's perspective. I didn't want to recite plot points from the movie with a simple twist (as if I didn't do that in chapter 2).

Where go from here will truly be what I am most excited about writing. Little to do with the movies and shows themselves but easter eggs sprinkled throughout. I've been having a blast writing this story so far and I can't wait until we hit the meat and potatoes of it all.

Until next time!

-Dilloncoll

[1]: Rollo was the Count of Rouen and the first Duke of Normandy. Rollo had no real tangible ties to Ragnar Lothbrok because historians don't know for certainty if he was a real person or not. In the show Vikings, they paint Rollo as Ragnar's older brother of similar age which wouldn't make too much sense as the sagas around Ragnar have him dying around the year 865 A.D. while Rollo would have been born anywhere between 835 and 875 A.D. According to his gravestone, Rollo died in his eighties in 930. While yes Ragnar could have died at a young age, it's doubtful due to the sheer amount of stuff he got up to (again according to the sagas).

[2]: Yggdrasil or The World Tree; it encompasses all nine realms with each realm resting on a branch of the tree. This is how the Norse viewed the cosmos with gods ruling over all nine realms.