#Stoick Gobber and Valka are next!!!!

[the-writing-trash-panda]

HTTYD Memes

Ft. My next generation

Why does the guy in the second photo look like my uncle?

[knight-hiccup]

𝐌𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐌 | Hiccup x Fem!Reader

This is the prologue to this Hiccup series -> Masterlist here. Previous Chapter : Next Chapter Summary: After a deadly tempest rage against Berk, a maelstrom in the sea claims your parents—Where you were then eventually passed into the gruff, tender care of Gobber as his adopted niece. Help raising you beneath the clang of his forge alongside his own godson, Hiccup, a boy destined to defy the world. Hiccup and you stand through many hardships as childhood friends, and awkward occasions as two misfits against the world—a fierce baker of breads and a dreamer craving Viking glory. Pairing: Hiccup x fem!reader Genre: romance, fantasy, suspense, drama, angst, dark, vioIence, friends to lovers, dark themes, Viking lore, Norse mythology, canon divergence, slow burn Word count: 1.2k Warnings: This will have the lore of the films + shows but with much darker themes. Gore/blood, mentions of death, Norse mythology, some realistic dragon themes, more realistic scenarios, and mature themes starting at the point httyd 2 ark comes in, so, ofc NSFW. Any other warnings will be properly tagged upon story progression. A/N: Reader descriptions are not described besides the clothing, true to Viking/httyd fashion from time to time. Gifs/edits, dividers + template credit to #uservampyr my co-writer + beta reader ♡

The storm that battered Berk that night when you were born was a beast unlike any the village had faced in years, a tempest so fierce it seemed to claw its way up from the depths of legend itself, as if Thor, in a fit of divine wrath, had hurled his hammer into the sky and shattered it into a thousand jagged shards of wind and rain.

The sea, a roiling black maw, roared with a fury that sent waves crashing over the rocky cliffs, splintering the sturdy timber of homes perched too close to the edge; boards groaned and snapped, tumbling into the churning abyss below where a maelstrom swirled angrily, swallowed by depths so dark they might have been the gates to Hel itself.

Stoick’s voice, a thunderclap of its own, had bellowed across the chaos, ordering every soul to retreat inland as the village crumbled under the onslaught—storms were usually a mere itch to the Vikings of Berk, a flea bite compared to the dragons that scorched their skies or the snows that buried their paths, but this was no ordinary squall; whispers of Ragnarök slithered through the crowd, their faces pale as they wondered what sin had roused the gods to such vengeance.

The people stumbled toward the Great Hall, their sanctuary of stone and firelight, boots slipping on rain-slick paths as the wind howled like a pack of starved wolves; brave souls darted back into the fray—men and women with determination and grit in their eyes—hauling the stragglers to safety, their silhouettes flickering against the lightning’s glare, risking all yet losing none, thank the fates, as the last of Berk’s battered flock squeezed inside. Or so they thought.

Stoick, broad as an oak and twice as unyielding, stood at the hall’s heart with Valka at his side, their voices cutting through the din as they counted heads—Until Gobber’s gruff shouts mingling with the clank of his hammer-hand, pointed outward.

“Wait! There’s still some out there!” Gobber bellowed from the shadowed throng near the Great Hall’s towering doors.

Stoick had whipped his head toward him. His bearded jaw tightening as he’d stalked forward, boots pounding the stone like war drums competing against the thunder; shoving the one unclosed door aside, he’d peered into the chaos, his eyes narrowing at the sight of distant figures—mere smudges against the storm’s black veil—struggling inland, their forms buckling under winds that shrieked chaos around them.

As chief, and the unyielding shield of his people, Stoick had steeled himself and plunged into the gale, his voice booming over the tumult with a command for all to stay put, the doors slamming behind him with a groan. He’d fought his way toward the figures, rain lashing his broad frame, until their shapes had sharpened into a young man and woman, her arms clutching a screaming bundle—their newborn child, a fragile spark amid the tempest’s rage—her face a mask of terror as the wind tore at her cloak, her husband’s hands steadying her against the onslaught.

Stoick had pressed forward, each step a battle against the storm’s might, when the earth beneath them had shuddered and split, a crack racing through the ground like a serpent’s strike; a landslide had erupted, morphing swiftly into a sinkhole that gaped wide where they’d stood, as if the island itself had conspired to claim them.

With a warrior’s reflex, Stoick had seized a frayed rope lashed to one of Berk’s ancient pillars—its weathered carvings whispering of forgotten ages—and shouted for them to run, his arm outstretched, a lifeline in the dark; they’d been mere inches from his grasp, the woman shielding her babe tight against her chest, her husband gripping them both in a desperate embrace, when the cliff had given way, the ground collapsing beneath their feet, their screams swallowed by the wind’s merciless howl.

In a heartbeat, the man had thrust the bundle into Stoick’s hands, his eyes locking with the chief’s in a fleeting, wordless plea—then he and his wife had tumbled with the shattered earth, vanishing into the churning abyss below, claimed by the storm’s insatiable hunger as Stoick failed to grab onto them.

Stoick had clung to the rope with a warrior’s tenacity, the infant’s wails slicing through the night like a blade forged in grief, a tiny life wrested from the jaws of a love it would never know; as the winds had raged on, howling like the spirits of the lost, he’d squeezed his eyes shut, a curse slipping beneath his breath as a sharp pang gripped his chest—not just from the strain, but from the weight of those he couldn’t save.

Tucking the wee babe close, her soaked form trembling against his broad frame, he’d gripped the rope tighter, waiting for the storm to shift; the moment the gale faltered, veering inland, he’d seized his chance and bolted toward the Great Hall, his boots pounding the earth as rain lashed his face, the child’s cries urging him on like a battle hymn.

Inside, the hall had held its breath, a sea of faces pressed to the cracks in the doors, their eyes straining against the dark until Stoick’s towering silhouette had emerged from the tempest’s shroud; Valka, his wife, clutching their fragile son Hiccup to her chest, had gasped in relief, her voice mingling with Gobber’s gruff shout as he’d flung the doors wide, his peg leg thudding against the stone.

All eyes had fallen on Stoick then, and on the small bundle cradled beneath his arm—soaked, shivering, impossibly small—its wails softening to whimpers as the warmth of the hall crept in; Gobber’s weathered face had twisted with worry, his eyes asking a question his tongue couldn’t bear to voice, but Stoick’s sad frown and the slight shake of his head had answered it—the parents were gone, claimed by the storm’s cruel embrace.

A hush had fallen over the hall, heads bowing in silent mourning, the crackle of the hearth the only sound until the men behind had heaved the doors shut, their locks clanking like a final decree; Stoick had crossed the floor to Valka, her tear-streaked gaze flitting from the babe in his arms to Hiccup, nestled against her, only imagining Hiccup in that situation, which brought tears to her eyes.

“She’ll catch her death if we don’t get her fresh clothes and warmth soon,” Stoick had declared, his voice steady despite the tremor in his soul, and Gobber had stepped forward, his calloused hands gentle as he’d taken the babe from his friend’s arms, cradling her with a tenderness that belied his rough exterior.

The hall, once still, had erupted into motion—Vikings bustling to stoke fires, fetch blankets, and brace for the storm’s duration—as the tempest that had descended upon Berk that night, a titan of nature’s wrath, etched its fury into the village’s history with claws of wind and teeth of rain, the sea roaring with a rage that mirrored the fire it stole; it had claimed lives, shattered homes, yet it hadn’t broken the spirit of Berk’s people, nor the fierce spark of the little bundle Stoick had saved—a girl who would grow to be as fierce and unyielding as the storm she was birthed into.

This is the prologue to this Hiccup series -> Masterlist here. Previous Chapter : Next Chapter

[empressgeekt]

HTTYD/Trolls - Crossover - Branch is Adopted by Gobber au

Okay, so people liked my Branch Winchester Au, so here's another one I've been stewing on for a while.

The au starts with a five year old branch running away from another horrible foster home in the newly settled pop village. he just wants to get away, be somewhere ....or more accurately the sea of HTTYD. Little Branch (now human) is left bobbing in the stormy sea, for who knows how long, eventually washing up on the shore of Berk.

At the next Dawn, young Gobber and Stoick would be walking the stony shore, just having a moment of peace between the noises of chiefing and working in the forge, and the never ending dragon raids. Stoick would be griping to Gobber about his and Valka's fertility issues, he's not mad at Valka, he's just worried that he won't get an heir before he's at the gate of Valhalla. Then they find a tiny body washed up on the rocks. The child is clearly not from berk, his hair like coal, and skin the color of tree bark. And somehow alive.

Strange appearance or not both Stoick and Gobber rush to Gothi with the child in hand. They get some odd stares from the village, but other then that they know to wait for an announcement on the discovery. Gothi sees the child right away, and after a few hours allows Stoick and Gobber (and Valka having joined them while waiting) into her healing hut to see the child. His wounds wrapped and bundled up near her fireplace. She scribbles into the dirt that she read the child, and that he was sent by a higher power to be raised as a berkian, after his own tribe and house wronged him greatly. Valka is immediately pissed off (stoick's in love), after all the child couldn't be more then five, what tribe and family could've possible done away with a child so young. Not to mention the fact that she and stoick had been struggling to conceive, only made the whole situation worse. Seeing his wife's distress Stoick immediately begins planning to take the boy in, but Gothi stops him, saying that while the boy was sent to be raised by them, he wasn't to be Stoick's child. When asked who the child belongs too, Gothi points to Gobber.

Gobber freaks out and says he can't handle a kid. He never got married for two reasons, and he only tells people one of them, and that was because of how much drama and worry a family can have. But still he's no match for the combine wrath of Gothi and Valka, and reluctantly, takes the child back to his hut to recover. Stoick stops by that night, with some mild mead, and let's Gobber vent. He does not understand why the gods would send him a kid, Gobber hadn't had a family since he's parents died when he was a teenager, and they never had any children other then him, so Gobber was the last of his house and he was fine with that. He had his job, he had his friends, he was fine. Stoick tries to be comforting, saying the gods must have a reason, and maybe he'd like the kid. That maybe the kid was always meant to be his, but since Gobber never married they had to get creative to get his son to him. Gobber is not comforted.

Branch wakes up three days later and he is terrified. The man he's staying with has a hook for a hand, peg for a leg, and the longest mustache that he'd ever seen. He spends the day hidden underneath his covers, wanting nothing more then to wake up in the warm forests of his home.

Gobber is at a loss of what to do with the obvious terrified child in his hut. What was Gothi thinking, he couldn't handle this. Eventually he resorts to luring Branch out with food, and manages to get the kid to talk over a bowl of stew, cause while Gobber is a great smith he is also a fantastic cook. The child's name is Branch which, given the color of his skin and the green tunic he was where Gobber finds very ironic.

It's awkward those first few weeks, Gobber is basically trying to figure out how to take care of a kid. Feeding, and making sure he's getting to Gothi on time for healing checks are things he can handing. Branch overall is a much calmer wee one then most of the children in berk, definitely a thinker (not that Gobber minds they need more thinkers on berk), but it still feels like there's a wall between them.

Branch is very confused, about everything. Gobber is nice, he doesn't make Branch feel like something is wrong with him. Gothi is weird, and she's weird about wanting to see his tongue, but she's gentle. His new Aunt Valka is very nice, but her husband is big and scary (much to stoick's dismay). It takes a little while but eventually, he gets comfortable enough to ask questions, and heals enough to leave the hut. The first day that Gobber takes him to the forge, Branch is immediately fascinated by metal work, much to Gobber's joy. The wall between them began to crack, as Branch paid close attention to everything Gobber said regarding to smithing. Eventually, Branch asks why they makes so many weapons. All Gobber said is to protect themselves. From what? Well Branch got his answer after an early winter hit berk.

One Night Branch would awaken to screams and the smell of smoke. Gobber is ready to run out to the forge to do his job during the raid, only this time he has a child to think about. He has no choice but to drag the child with him through the chaos and snuff him in the forge while the smith got to work. Branch is constantly asking what's happening, and all he gets in answer is two words "Dragon raid". At some point in the night, Gobber asks Branch to grab something for him, and needed to do something other then quietly stew in panic, Branch quickly becomes Gobber's fetch boy, and was put in charge of keeping the coals warm. The raid last until sunrise, and by the end of it, he just clings to Gobber's too exhausted to be scared. Gobber carries the child home to sleep, any wall between them now broken.

For the next year, Branch would continue to help Gobber around the forge, while at the same time learning to read, and once the boy had written Norse down, Branch ate up any book put in front of him. Gobber carrying him home every night after the boy would fall asleep while studying in the forge. Sometime in Feberary, his Uncle Stoick and Aunt Valka have a baby, and once deemed safe, Gobber and Branch are the first to seeing little Hiccup, and upon seeing the little loaf of fur and baby, Branch was sold, nothing would happen to this kid. Not on his watch. Gobber even lets Branch help forge the baby sized axe that Stoick requested for his son.

Then came one of the worst nights in Branch's life. The raid had been normal at first, Branch helping out in the forge like he had been taught. Until someone screamed about the Chief's hut being destoryed. Not thinking anything but that little Hiccup was in danger, Branch runs out of the forge towards the now burning out...only to see his Aunt Valka being carried off by a stormcutter. For a moment, it's not Aunt Valka, and it's not a dragon, it's Grandma and the bergen. Branch runs back to his hut with Gobber and begins to sob into his bed. Gobber would find him there curled up underneath the blankets, just sad and scared. Some how Gobber gets his boy to open up about his grandmother and Gobber does interperate it like Grandma was carried off by a dragon and not a bergen, but the message was the same even if the details were a little fuzzy. Gobber comforts Branch saying that he'll protect the child, always. This is the night that Branch starts calling Gobber Dad.

Stoick falls off the deep end right after Valka was taken, he goes on crazy month long blind searches for her, and Gobber goes with him to stop Stoick from doing anything more stupid. At some point Gobber has enough and starts to try and talk some sense into stoick, afterall they both have lads at home, and Stoick is missing his son's infant years. It hurts, but Stoick knows that Gobber is right, all that's left of Valka is Hiccup, Stoick needs to protect him now, and he couldn't keep Gobber away from his own son too.

While his father and uncle were away, Branch was put into the care of Gothi, Hiccup was sent to say with his aunt (Valka's sister and soon to be Snotlout's mom), but Gobber and Branch were the last of their house so Gothi was the next best thing. During those months, Branch tries not to be a bother, Gothi is pleased to have a set of hands nearby so willing to help, and like with smithing Branch would pick up on healing rather quickly. He even helps her with patients once's he capable enough.

Eventually though, the searches stop and Gobber comes home for good.

Years seemed to fly by after that, Hiccup grows scrawny, and is quickly made a target by his peers for bullying. Though, the Forge becomes a safe place, Branch has six years on the other kids, and they knew they can't mess with him. The smith's son does not tolerate bullying or teasing when he's working, especially when it comes to Hiccup. He can't hate the other kids though, after all their still kids being kids. One of them he even feels bad for, little Fishlegs clearly didn't want to pick on Hiccup but also didn't want to be bullied either. Branch will throw hands if it gets physical, however.

Though there's one kid that Branch has a special hatred for. Dagur. The berserker heir, is not someone that Branch initially gets along with, especially after a swimming trip that almost ended in Dagur drowning Hiccup. A bitterness between the two only grow from there, and it bring out this cruel protective streak that Branch didn't know he had. Something is wrong with Dagur, and Branch isn't sure what, but it makes the heir dangerous. And unlike the other kids, Branch doesn't intimidate Dagur because their closer in age, and Dagur did always have more muscle.

By the time the movie rolls around, Branch is a smith in his own right at the age of 20. He and Gobber work in the together, with Hiccup joining them after picking up and interest in inventing. A hobby that Branch also enjoys, together they come up with all sorts of gadgets though Stoick almost never lets them test them. Gobber's proud of his boy, though now Branch is his own man. His son is strong, smart and rather good looking, the few suitors Branch has on Berk look at him with a decent level of desire. Sure, Branch wasn't the usual beefcake of a viking, but his figure was lean and strong, the darker hue of his skin also gave him an air of mystery. However, Branch made it very clear he wasn't interested in any of them.

In the meeting hall,

"Trolls exist! They steal your sock but only your left one what's with that?"

"Dad, trolls don't steal socks, and you only have left socks. They keep vanishing when I do the laundry."

"Because trolls keep stealing 'em!"

*sigh*

Branch is the first one to meet Toothless after Hiccup shot him down. When Hiccup is sneaking through the forge after he and toothless got tied together. Branch spots them and follows them back to the cove. There Hiccup explains and begs Branch not to tell his dad, and Branch says he won't as long as Toothless won't eat Hiccup. He helps the younger boy and dragon get unstuck, before marveling at the rigging that Hiccup made for Toothless. Branch wants in, mostly because it could mean finding a better way to keep the people in the village safe. Together the boys, learn more about dragons by studying Toothless, theories and findings Hiccup tests in the training ring.

After the disaster of a final test, Branch tries to follow Hiccup and Stoick and ends up witnessing their fight, and Stoick disowning Hiccup. This cuts deep and Branch looses all respect for the chief. He says goodbye to Hiccup before they leave, saying they'll always be brothers. Branch goes with the others to raid the nest, only to keep his father safe however, the rest of the village Chief included can go burn for all he cared.

Sadly this does mean that Branch is out of the dragon riding part of the battle, but I do plan on giving him a dragon at some point. Not sure which kind though, I'm thinking maybe a sand wraith, or dramillion, or maybe just say screw it and partner him up with Light Fury. I think they could make a fun duo, loner grouch with a very snooty over grown cat, who very protective.

---

It's late I'm going to split this up.

[p-artsypants]

The Pale Rider (21) Check

Ao3

Waking up beside the Rider was becoming one of Astrid’s favorite things. They fell asleep holding hands, and she woke up being held by him. He cradled her comfortably to his side and wrapped his arms around her protectively. Even after she woke up, she snuggled up to him and rested, enjoying his embrace until he awoke. 

—-

Astrid curled up in the Green Drawing room with the journal. The Rider had given her a kiss goodbye before heading into town. He had a full day helping Oswald get settled in. There were old laws to go over, ordinances, grievances, and procedure. It sounded like a headache and Astrid pitied her husband. 

Astrid had her own busy day planned. While she was comfortable on the loveseat, she had a second notebook open beside her, ready to take notes about anything and everything that was important. 

“Three days,” she said to no one in particular. “I’m going to have this curse solved in three days. 

“That’s optimistic,” said Valka. “What makes you so sure?” 

“I’m not. This journal came up when I asked the Library for all references to ‘Finn Hofferson’. Either it has answers, or none and I’m back at square one.” 

“That journal looks familiar…I can’t place it though.” 

“Could it have belonged to Finn?” 

“Possible, even likely.” 

It was a dark brown leather, almost black. The center had a sleek, simplified design of a dragon dyed red, cut from another piece of leather. 

Astrid opened the first page and looked at the little dragon drawing again. Whoever made this book had some real talent. 

The next page had another drawing. That of a saddle. Unlike the Terror, this drawing was very mathematical, with precise edges and measurements for each section.

It was probably the saddle for a dragon, though which kind, she couldn’t guess. She only knew the ones the Rider had introduced them to, and even then, they probably looked a lot different with skin on. 

The next page was another schematic. This one was of a leg. A leg that looked a lot like the Rider’s. 

She stared at it for a while, comparing it to the one she’d seen the Rider and Gobber make together. It wouldn’t be exactly the same, because they didn’t have this sketch with them, but there were a lot of similarities. 

The next page had the schematics for…a stirrup, perhaps? It was something the prosthetic leg was meant to attach to, but the purpose wasn’t obvious. 

The next few drawings were more artistic. There was a dragon labeled Monstrous Nightmare, which if she remembered correctly, was the dragon that Snotlout rode. 

The drawing was rough, like the artist was trying to capture the image while the dragon was moving around. It looked fierce and was roaring. 

The same statistics were in the margins like the Terror, with some extra notes like, ‘ornery, dramatic, short tempered, scaredy cat.’ 

Astrid couldn’t help but smile. The descriptions didn’t match the drawing, but they did match the complaints she’d heard from Snotlout about Hookfang. Maybe all Monstrous Nightmares were like that? Or this was a drawing of Hookfang? 

The next two pages held several drawings of Stoick. Some were more detailed than others, but they were all from different angles with different expressions. Most weren’t happy. Actually, the happiest one, she’d consider ‘neutral’. He wasn’t frowning…but he wasn’t smiling. There were no words on the page to connect the artist with Stoick. 

Four pages in a row were filled with drawings of the same dragon. It was rounded and sleek. Sometimes it was colored in, sometimes just line art. A few notes scattered around. ‘Doesn’t like eels.’ ‘Scratch here.’ ‘Nocturnal?’ ‘Responds best to halibut.’ ‘Doesn’t like whole chicken, clean first. Feather allergy?’ 

The dragon was depicted opposite of the Nightmare. It was docile, domestic, and adorable. The artist drew him curled up in sleep, stretching like a cat, or rolling around. 

Then on the last page of the study, the phrase ‘Toothless is sensitive about jokes regarding his tailfin’ was added. 

Astrid flipped back a few pages and looked over the drawings again and again. 

This was Toothless. The real Toothless! This is what he was supposed to look like! 

After a moment, she flipped back to the cover of the journal, and recognized the shape. The dragon on the front was the same! A Night Fury! 

Did this journal belong to the Rider? 

With that in mind, she flicked through the drawings again. The handwriting did look like his, though she wondered if it was different because of his hand size. 

She admired the drawings. As the book went on, the work became better, more refined. 

She couldn’t remember if he ever said he could draw. Was that another hobby that was ripped from him? 

The curse was cruel, and left her dear friend—her husband—a hollow shell of the person he used to be. How much would he change when all was restored? 

It didn’t matter. She promised to love him, and so she would. His humanity was too important to worry about these little details. 

She found a portrait of a young man. He had his hair back in a braid and a hammer in hand. 

Next to the drawing was the note: 

‘My friend Finn Hofferson hard at work.’ 

So Finn was his friend! She wished she could take this to the Rider and show him, but he’d likely forget afterwards. 

Under that label was a different set of handwriting: 

‘My nose is too big, and my arms are too small. 

Get good. 

-Finn ❤︎’

In the bottom corner was a new figure, a poor doodle really, of an extremely muscly man, with the caption, ‘better?’ 

Beside that was a drawing of a stack of rocks.

‘What is that?’

‘Thumbs up’

‘Sucks ❤︎’

Astrid couldn’t help but laugh. Here were two guys taking the piss out of each other, preserved after 300 years. Here was a documentation of friendship. Viggo’s magic could interfere and change their memories, but this was proof of a friendship. 

The next page had another schematic, this of a weapon which sort of looked like a sword, but the blade was hollowed out like a cheese knife. Different parts were labeled with things like ‘Zippleback Gas’ and ‘Nightmare Gel’ and other parts had measurements for material. 

In the corner, colorful commentary was added. ‘This is dumb, and if you die, I get Toothless.’ 

‘I’m not going to die. It’s going to be built by the best blacksmith on the island.’ 

‘Aw, really?’ 

‘Aye, me, you dickhead.’ 

Then there was simply a frowny face. 

Astrid’s heart squeezed a little. Reading their exchanges was fun and somewhat wholesome, but there was a sobering reminder that Finn was dead and the Rider forgot all about this. 

How painful would this be when the curse was lifted? He couldn’t reconcile with Finn. Not until he died. 

For 300 years, Finn suffered whatever torments the castle had to offer his soul, and on top of all of it, his best friend was denying ever liking him. 

“Finn, I’m so sorry,” Astrid whispered into the room. She hoped he could hear her. 

The journal was thick, and held lots of notes and sketches. Loose pages were stuck in here and there. There were more drawings of Toothless. There were a couple pages on Stormfly, who looked different with skin, more than she was expecting. The other dragons that her friends were training with all had a page or two. Invaluable information that she’d take with her. 

She poured over each page, drinking in the bits of information from a forgotten life. Even if it had nothing to do with the curse, she wanted to know. She wanted to see him, and see Finn. 

One folio was just notes. They were awkwardly stacked, like Finn and the Rider had been sitting side by side and passing the book between them. 

‘Bored’ began Finn’s handwriting. 

‘So you’re vandalizing my notebook? Rude. Do you know how expensive paper is?’

‘You have plenty of it, son of the chief. You certainly aren’t spending your old man’s gold on clothes that fit.’

‘Again with the pants thing? I thought you promised to drop it?’

‘No way. I will remember you splitting your pants in front of everyone for the rest of my life.’

‘It wasn’t that funny.’

‘It was the timing! You just got done throwing a tantrum about how no one takes you seriously, then bend down to pick up that stick for Toothless and rip! Comedic genius.’

‘A, it wasn’t a tantrum, and B, I didn’t do it on purpose, and C, you’re an asshole.’

‘And yet, here I am, sitting at your side during council. It’s almost like you trust me or something. Weird.’ 

‘If Toothless could talk, he’d be sitting there instead.’ 

‘How long is this supposed to go? Viggo’s been speaking for an hour.’ 

‘Don’t know. These meetings can sometimes go for days.’

‘Is your dad really considering abandoning the island? What about our ancestors that are buried here?’

‘We’ll all end up buried here if we don’t do something. And my plan didn’t work.’

‘You should try again. You have another leg.’

‘My mother might kill me. Or you, for suggesting it.’ 

‘What do you think? I thought Viggo gave you the creeps.’ 

‘He does. Honestly, I think I know how to defeat the Red Death, but no one will listen to me.’ 

‘Really? How?’ 

‘I figured out that dragon’s aren’t fireproof from the inside. We wait until she prepares a fireball, and then blast her when she’s full of gas.’ 

‘Sounds extremely dangerous.’

‘It is. I would just go do it, but I need backup in case something goes wrong. Someone to take care of Toothless.’

‘I see why your parents aren’t listening. I don’t doubt it would work, but I don’t want you to risk your life. Not if evacuation is plausible.’

‘Weren’t you just saying I had another leg?’ 

‘It was a joke. You know, humor? You should try it sometime.’

‘I’m hilarious.’

‘Hilariously clumsy.’

‘Evacuation might be enough for the village, but the rest of the dragons are under the Queen’s control. They’re suffering too.’ 

‘Your heart is so big. One might say too big. No one is going to advocate for them.’

‘I am.’ 

‘And I and Stormfly thank you for it. But you’ll be outvoted.’ 

‘I have to try, right? Besides, Viggo’s hiding something. He’s not just doing this out of the goodness of his heart.’

‘As you’ve said, but what’s the proof?’

‘None yet, but there’s something about him that sets my teeth on edge.’

‘You sure you aren’t being magicist?’

‘That’s not a thing.’  

‘You know what I mean. You're mostly feral, so well-read people make you uncomfortable.’ 

‘Which is why I hang out with you?’

‘Oh I walked into that one. Well played.’

‘Thanks. And in regards to Viggo, I don’t know what it is. Toothless gets his hackles up whenever Viggo gets near. Look, he’s pacing by the doors.’ 

‘Oh yeah. He looks really agitated. I get it. But is there really a harm in hearing him out?’ 

And that was where the conversation ended, at least on paper. Who knew what happened after? 

The next page had a rough sketch of the Berk she knew. The town had changed a little even in her lifetime, so of course the map was different, but the layout was familiar. The Great Hall was the same, as well as the family plots for the Jorgensons, the Thorstons, and the Berserkers. The forge was marked, as were some of the oldest buildings like the armory and the storehouse. 

So, they ended up listening to Viggo. Of course she knew that was the conclusion, but she wondered how quickly they agreed. There were likely several months that passed between these two pages, as no doubt the Rider had been busy during the evacuation and relocation. 

The next page started a new trend with the sketchbook. There was a journal entry, dated and everything. 

‘I don’t like this place. Something is very wrong with this island and I’ve been up to my eyeballs with work since we came here, I haven’t been able to think straight. I just need to get my thoughts down. 

Since we arrived a month ago, the dragons have been agitated. I’ve gotten blamed for it, but I've certainly tried my best to keep them calm. They just don’t like it here! Not that I can blame them. There’s no native dragons here either, which is odd. We’re far past the archipelago, but even here there should be dragons. There’s plenty of other animals like deer and boar though, so whatever killed the previous inhabitants, it didn’t affect the animals. 

I’m living up in the fort on the mountain with mom and dad, and Viggo and Ryker. Finn and Hildagard offered me a place to stay until we could build a hut for myself, but I declined. I know Hildagard could use more help around the house with little Eyvind, but I just can’t shake the feeling that my parents aren’t safe with the Grimborns. So until I’m satisfied that Viggo really isn’t up to anything, I’m keeping an eye on him.’

The entry was signed! She didn’t quite know what to make of the signature though. It was an Hagalaz (H) rune with three vertical lines in it. At least, she hoped it was a signature, and not a random symbol. 

The next page was written a few days later. 

‘I’m exhausted. Which really shouldn’t be a surprise with all the work I’ve been doing since we got here, but I’m starting to get concerned. I’ve always had a poor sleep schedule, but I’ve never felt this drained before. Finn said he feels the same, but chalked it up to Eyvind. Everyone else is saying that it’s the drain of the move. Maybe I am going crazy. Maybe I’ll take a day off to go hunting or take the dragons to explore the neighboring islands. 

‘I bet I’ll feel better getting away from Viggo’s ‘healing aura spell circle’ for a while.’ 

And it was signed the same way. 

As Astrid read over the last bit again, she grew suspicious. Just as the Rider had been, it seemed. 

The next page didn’t have an entry, however. Instead, a very familiar, and very completed spell circle. It spanned both pages, and had every detail down. 

The entries continued on the next page. 

‘Viggo showed us this spell circle when he gave us a brief tour of the fort. He said it was a healing aura he’d put down when they first discovered the fate of the island, in order to purify it. 

‘I didn’t believe it for one second. First of all, the statues around the room are too realistic. I don’t think they’re natural. And second of all, why here? Why not in the town? In the Great Hall? Or build a new structure in the square? It doesn’t make sense! But now everyone is shrugging me off. I can’t convince a single person to listen! Even Finn is being short with me!

‘The exhaustion persists, and I think it’s making everyone cranky. Cranky Vikings are stubborn Vikings. The dragons have been restless too, and I can rarely get them to help in town. They’d much rather fly to the sea stacks or be in the woods away from town. 

‘Maybe I am going insane. Maybe I’m the one that’s intolerant. Dragons are one thing, but mages are another? 

‘Still, I won’t feel safe until I discern this spell circle. If he’s telling the truth, I’ll relax. 

‘Here are my notes on the circle symbols.’ 

What followed was a list, going symbol by symbol, and describing the meaning and origin of it. She had done similar, earlier. But he seemed to have gotten it all! 

The information took up several pages, each page absolutely crammed with info. He wrote extra notes in the margins and along the edges, anywhere there was room. 

Astrid saw a few she recognized from her research, but he had more. He’d made observations about correlations between boxed sections. 

Words like ‘necromancy’ and ‘death magic’ were repeated and underlined. It painted a grim picture of the purpose of the circle. 

It was definitely not for healing or purifying.

‘The previous inhabitants of this island were Celts. There’s evidence of their lives as their written language is still present on signs and buildings in town. Their mages are called Druids, and they worship nature and the natural order of the world. This spell circle is not Druidic. Ergo, Viggo is not a Druid, like he’s been telling us. 

‘From everything I’ve read, this spell circle is some sort of soul ritual. Either its purpose is to convene with the dead, or, Odin preserve us, harvest souls. To what end, I can’t begin to know. But I have to tread carefully at this point. Any accusations will have to be accurate and able to be proven, or dad will send me back home. 

‘Honestly, I wouldn’t mind. I’ll take my chances with the Queen.

‘To give Viggo the benefit of the doubt, I’ll assume that the circle is to convene with the dead, and by purifying, he’s trying to appease the souls that died here. I would understand why he lied, at least. 

‘But if it’s the second thing, I’d bet my life that Viggo is the one responsible for all the deaths here. The longer I think about it, the more likely it seems. What are the chances that Viggo and Ryker just happened to stumble over an island that died? And what are the chances that they just happened to find our tribe, who were desperate for escape? What if he knew we’d hear him out? What if he knew he could trick us here? 

‘Gods, I feel sick. If this is true, we’re all going to die. I don’t know when or why, but it has to be soon. I’ve got to find someone who will listen. 

‘Or I’ll have to do something stupid and crazy.’

Astrid set the book down in her lap and stared at the ceiling. Tears pricked at her eyes. She knew what was coming, and that was almost worse. 

What if Valka and Stoick really didn’t know any different? What if they never had their memories manipulated, but believed their son was always in the wrong? 

She plowed on, hoping for answers. 

The last entry in the sketchbook was a letter, and the ribbon bookmark held the page. 

‘Dear Finn, 

‘If you’re reading this, I was brave.

‘I lied to you. I said I didn’t know what ritual Viggo was planning, but I lied. I knew what I was interrupting. But I also knew no one would believe me. So I’m leaving my notes with you, and hopefully you can clear my name when I’m gone. It’s the only tangible proof I have. 

‘I had been spying on the Grimborn brothers since we got here, and I finally discovered the truth. Late last night, Viggo explained what was going to happen in the ritual to Ryker. The two brothers will stand inside the spell circle and be safe, while every living thing within 20 miles will die. At which point, the brothers will absorb the life energy and finish extend their lifespans for a couple hundred years. They’ve been planning this for years, and this is the third time they’ve done it. And if I don’t stop them now, they’ll do it again.

‘I know I sound crazy, and I know no one will believe it at first, but if you could at least tell my parents, I want them to believe I died for a good reason, and not because I was jealous. Because I’m pretty sure I will die, but I hope I can take them out with me. 

‘I left the wooden puzzle cube on this journal for Eyvind. Tell him that his uncle loves him. Tell him I was a good man, and that I died protecting the village. 

‘I love you too. I’ll be waiting in Valhalla.’ 

And it was signed with that little symbol.

Astrid shut the journal and hugged it to her chest, trying not to let her tears drip onto the pages. 

He didn’t die, but he went into this thinking that he was all alone. 

Angry, frustrated, at the end of her rope, Astrid set the sketchbook down and headed towards the Foyer. 

Viggo knew she was onto him. He had to. There was no point in this game they were playing. She wanted answers, and he was going to give them.  

“Viggo,” she declared, standing in front of him. 

He didn’t move, just continued to be a realistic painting. 

“I know you can hear me. And I know that you aren’t as innocent as you seem. This curse wasn’t an accident. This is malicious punishment on the Rider. He saw how evil you were and tried to stop it. You tried to kill everyone and steal their lives. Tell me I’m wrong.” 

Still, he didn’t move. 

“Don’t you hate being stuck in this painting? Aren’t you tired, too? Why don’t you just let me end this?” 

Nothing. 

She grit her teeth. “What’s the Rider’s real name, Viggo? Where do I find it?” 

Torturously slow, Viggo moved, rolling his head over to look at her with dead eyes. He breathed, the air coming from his lungs sounding grating and agonizing. 

“Murderer. Demon. Monster. Those are the only names befitting the creature that killed my brother and I.” His words were slow, as if speaking them brought him even more pain.

She didn’t buy it for a second. “Even if he did kill you, he had a good reason. I found his notes that prove you lured our ancestors here for a sacrifice. The Rider isn’t responsible. He’s a prisoner like everyone else.”

“Whatever notes you found are just the ramblings of a disturbed individual. With my dying breath, I used my magic to bind the Rider to this island. He needed to be punished for his treachery. I did not know the extent of my curse, or how it would trap you here with this monster.” 

“The Rider is not a monster. He chose to help everyone in the village, even without all of his memories. He’s protected us from raiders, he’s given us treasure, and he helped me when I had no one else to turn to.”

“He’s manipulating you. It’s what he does. Why do you so blindly trust him? He killed me, and he convinced you to tear out your heart.”

Astrid grit her teeth, trying and failing to keep her anger in check. “You can’t fool me, Viggo. It was you trying to convince the Rider to put me through the ritual. This is what you’ve wanted all along. I had to convince him to go through with it.”

“You are surely mistaken. I would never ask the Rider to rope someone else into this hell.”

“I heard you!” She snarled. “Don’t treat me like I’m stupid, Viggo.” 

“I don’t believe you are, Astrid,” he winced. “I think you are really very clever. It’s just…I think you misheard me.”

“Fine,” she bit. “Say I believe you. Say the Rider is a cold blooded murderer. He’s walking around, making friends, on the town council, married. You’re still trapped in this painting. Why not tell me how to break the spell and set everyone free and let the town and Stoick deal with him?” 

He gave her this sugary-sweet pitying look and answered. “You really think Stoick would punish his only son? The boy is responsible for the death of so many of his tribesmen during his asinine attempt to kill the dragon queen. He so desperately wanted to be the hero and save the day, but instead, he failed miserably. A hundred people perished, and Stoick was content with dealing no punishment because he lost his leg.” 

“That’s not a good comparison. He tried to help and any deaths were accidental.”

“How would you know? Were you there?” 

She sneered, clenching her fists, but attempted to calm herself down with a few deep breaths. “Regardless, you’ve certainly punished the Rider plenty, and now you’re punishing everyone else. You said yourself you wouldn’t have cast that spell if you knew how it would affect everyone. So tell me how to break it, or I’ll know this was petty revenge against him interfering with your spell.” 

Viggo was quiet a long time, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. She had him cornered, and she knew it. Either he had to admit he was lying or give in, and she figured he was too proud to admit he was lying. So he would concoct another lie, surely. Or a partial truth. 

“You are right, my dear,” He finally admitted. “I have allowed revenge to cloud my mind.” He sighed and rolled his head back, looking up at the ceiling. “My magic changed him. It stripped him of his humanity. His appearance was only reflecting what was inside. But he should face judgement by men. Surely after all this, once the real truth is revealed, he won’t be let off easy.” 

“I’ll make sure he’s judged fairly because of his actions.” 

“That’s all I can hope for, I suppose.” He coughed weakly. “But in order to break the curse…I fear it’s simply not possible.” 

“Tell me anyway,” she demanded. 

“You’re partially right. The key is his name. I took it from him…names have power, you see. By taking it, I removed memories of pride, of happiness, of success. If he wants to regain his humanity, he will need to reflect upon these moments.” 

“But he can’t. He’ll forget them.”

“Precisely.” 

“He can’t do it alone, but what if I help him? What if I help him reflect? We’ll go over the memories over and over until it sticks. Just tell me where to find his name.”

“It’s in the Dungeon. A runestone is engraved with his full name. I shattered it. You’ll need to find the pieces scattered throughout the maze of the dungeon. But of course…my dear brother is down there.”    

Astrid swallowed thickly, feeling sick. “But…the Rider destroyed Ryker’s body not too long ago. He’s not a threat…right?” 

“True! Yes, he’s still putting himself back together. So there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.” 

Astrid doubted that completely, but if there was a chance to go down there, she needed to take it. 

“Nothing to worry about at all,” she nodded. 

He smiled. “Well, I suppose that since we’re on the same page, I should let you go. You will make sure to relay all I’ve told you to the council, won’t you?” 

She nodded. 

“Very well.” 

Then there was a click and the painting, which was as big as she was, slowly swung free and revealed a secret passage beyond it. 

“Good luck,” he said, and she swore there was malice in his voice. 

Astrid swallowed and entered, the door clicking shut behind her.

The passageway was cast into an eerie green light, one that was emitted from her eyes. The walls were bare and smooth, lacking in decoration and embellishment. The air felt heavy and stale, and smelled of dust and concerningly, something rotting. Even sounds were suppressed, as her footsteps were almost completely silent. 

The passage was long, and sloped. For a while, it just went down and down and down, and then it would turn to the right and continue down and down, and then right again. A slow, wide spiral. The stone had no seams or grout, seemingly cut out of the mountain itself. It was cold, it was dark, and it was unpleasant. 

The passage finally gave way to a large room. She was on the balcony of a panopticon. The balcony went all the way around, and she could see several cells that sat in intervals on her floor and on each floor down to the bottom. There were several floors down, and the only reason she could see the bottom was because a circle of candles were illuminated. They lined a dais, which was stained with blood and littered with bones. Several long, broken chains crossed over it, but little else. 

She swallowed thickly, wondering if that was already a bad sign. 

As she leaned over the iron railing, something grabbed the back of her dress gently and tugged. Just two short, gentle tugs. 

Feeling the worst sort of chill rush over her, Astrid turned with trepidation to face whatever had called her attention. 

She almost screamed. A skeleton, old and bloody, stood just behind her. The only reason she didn’t scream was because it held a finger in front of its face to tell her to be quiet. She had just enough sense to heed its warning, but little else. She had to clap a hand over her mouth. 

The skeleton just nodded at her, then crooked a finger, beckoning her along. 

She wanted to punch it, kick it, send it scattering all over the floor like a broken vase, but she just obeyed, following its lead in this precarious place. 

It led her to a room with a wooden door, and opened it for her. Then it gestured her inside. 

She shook her head and insisted it go first. 

The skeleton shrugged and entered, then waited for her to follow before closing the door. Almost immediately, the room became illuminated with another light, this one blue. A ghost inhabited the skeleton, and she could see its hazy form around the bones. 

“Sorry for scaring you,” he said softly. “I didn’t know how to get your attention without making noise.” 

It took her a moment, but she began to recognize him. “Are you…Finn?” 

“You do remember! Thank Odin, I thought I’d have to repeat the dream monologue again!” 

“What are you doing down here?” 

“This is my physical form,” he gestured to the skeleton. “I should be asking you the same thing! It’s so dangerous down here! Especially for you!” 

“I found the Rider’s journal. I learned what he learned, that he unlocked the meaning behind the spell circle and figured out Viggo’s plans.” 

“The journal!” He smacked a hand to his forehead, the bone on bone making a clack. “I should have told you!” 

“Well, I found it because of you. Your name was in it, so the library brought it when I asked.” 

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

She crossed her arms. “I confronted Viggo. He’s playing coy and innocent, but I reasoned that he should let me remove the curse so that the Rider can face justice in a court of law. He conceded and told me I could find the Rider’s name down here.” 

“Down…?” He looked around, like he’d see it written on the wall. “Of course he would have hidden it down here. Bastard!” He shook his fist, the bones in his wrist rattling. “Damn. Damn damn damn!” 

“He said there’s pieces scattered about and I have to collect them.” 

“He could have very well been telling the truth about that,” he conceded. “But he left out some very crucial information! One, Ryker has been recovering way faster this time around. He’s walking around, but he’s blind.” 

“Oh, that’s why you had to be quiet.” 

“Exactly. Number two, Ryker isn’t the only danger here. The torture chamber is at the bottom of the tower and I guarantee if there’s pieces to the Rider’s name to find, he hid one in that room.” 

“What’s down there?” She asked, her voice low. 

“The Rider’s worst nightmare.” 

“...which is?” 

“I’m not completely sure, but I’d imagine it’s the Red Death.” 

“Great,” she huffed. “So I’m going through this thing silently, huh?” 

“No, you’re going back upstairs and you’re going to let me look.” 

“What?!” She scoffed. “You told me to find his name!” 

“I know, I know, but if I had known it was down here, I would have planned things differently. It’s too dangerous for you to be down here.” 

“Then I’ll come back with my axe. I’m immortal now, like the Rider.” 

He gave a long suffering sigh. “No, you’re not. We’ve had this conversation before, before you went through the ritual, in your dreams.” 

“Oh…I don’t remember my dreams.” 

“I know you don’t! It’s extremely frustrating!” He waved his arms around. “Okay, look, here’s the problem. You’re not immortal, just can’t be killed by conventional means. But this is Viggo’s world and he’ll allow you to die to Ryker or the Red Death, and when you do, I almost guarantee he’ll possess your body.” 

“...he can do that?” 

“I’ve learned a little about his magic, since I’m a part of it now. The ritual makes it exceedingly easy for him to possess you. He just needs to sever your soul.” 

“Then…this was a trick?” 

“Doubtless.” 

“What do I do?” 

“Leave, give me some time to look. I’ll see if I can get some of those pieces.” 

“But…if you’re part of his magic, what happens if he figures out what you’re doing?” 

He smiled slightly. “Probably nothing good, but I’d do anything for the Rider. He’s my brother, now and always.” 

Astrid didn’t know what to say to that. What was the point of asking him to stay out of it? He was already trapped here. 

And probably getting desperate. 

“Okay,” she agreed. “I’ll give you until this time tomorrow, then I’m coming back with my axe.” 

“Then I’ll have to work quickly.” 

----

Heads up! We're coming close to the end of this story, but this was the last cushion chapter I have. So hopefully I'll have the next chapter on time, but we'll see if good intentions pan out. :)

[doofus-and-dragons]

As promised, I'm back on my httyd bullshit. Here's a list of things that don't make sense unless you watch the shows (idgaf if they're cannon or not, they should be for the background of small details!!!)

1. Grump.

Grump is Gobber's Hotburple in Httyd 2 and 3. But not in httyd 1. So this begs the question: Where and when did Gobber get Grump? The answer? Race to the Edge S3 E12, "Last Auction heros." Gobber and Snotlout go to Viggo's dragon auction undercover, and Grump is one of the dragons for sale. Without that episode, Grump is just a dragon they shoved into the second movie for shots and giggles.

2. Inferno

Inferno is a blade that Hiccup created himself that lights itself on fire using monstrous nightmare gel and can eject and ignite zippleback gas. To the casual watcher, he just showed up with it in the second movie. But Inferno is ALSO from rtte! Inferno's first form comes from S3 E9, "Tone Death." Hiccup then works further on it, but Inferno as we know it is actually based on a version of the blade that VIGGO GRIMBORN, the villain for most of RTTE, made.

3. The Deadly Nadder(? Looks like a nadder) plushie

Although this is a small detail that is only seen in the background of the later Httyd movies, it is still a detail that first appears within the SHOW'S cannon lore. According to S1 E17 of Riders of Berk, the toy was made by Valka when Hiccup was a baby. However, tiny Hiccup was so scared of the toy that he threw it in the ocean. Trader Johann managed to get ahold of it, and the episode was about the riders trying to save with mystery item because something happened to Johann's ship. I don't remember what. Something about smoldering smoke breaths, I think.

4. Skull Crusher

Skull Crush is Stoick the Vast's Rumblehorn in Httyd 2 and 3, who is later inherited by Eret, son of Eret upon Soick's death in Httyd 2. But again, where and when did Stoick get Shullcrusher? Because it seems like he just appeared. Well, I have that answer! Skull Crusher first appears in S1 E8, "Crushing It." In the episode, the gang is tormented by a Rumblehorn who keeps destroying their camp. Hiccup asks his Dad for help, and his Dad is able to train and befriend the wild dragon.

5. Hiccup's flight suit

In Httyd 2 and 3, Hiccup has/is trying to perfect a flight suit attached to his armor. Now, this could just be seen as Hiccup being a silly inventor off-screen, but it ACTUALLY shows up in Race to the Edge! S1 E12 "The Next Big Sting" actually opens with Hiccup trying out his first design for the flight suit. He does it many times, each time having to be saved by Toothless before he crashes into some form of rock/sea stack (much like in Httyd 2).

6. Hiccup's aging

I saw a post either on here or on tiktok the other day where someone was complaining about how different hiccup looked between 1 and 2. In 1, he's like...what...13?15? Where as He's about 20-21 ish by Httyd 2. To fans who don't obsess over something and consume all the media like I do, this would be a bit of a shock. I mean, you go from this:

Immediately to this:

Where as fans of the shows had this progression:

Much easier to swallow.

7. The Bewilderbeast

This is, again, something that could be choked up to the writers wanting more than just 7 species of dragons. HOWEVER, this dragon is actually the center point of the last few episodes of Race to the Edge. We learn a little bit about the dragon over the corse of the last season, which takes place just a year or two before Httyd 2.

9. VALKA HERSELF

I watched Race to the Edge long before I watched Httyd 2, so I had 0 clue the Hiccup's mom was still alive or what her mask looked like. But in the last bit of the last episode of race to the edge, guess what we see?

VALKA TAKING THE BEWILDERBEAST EGG.

In conclusion, these show's should be considered cannon to the HTTYD universe just as much as fucking Homecoming should or what ever. These are amazing and fill in so many continuity

[asherbakugou]

Background Information for HTYD Next Gen Story

Night Fury Redesign - Peregrine Falcons, Panthers, Cats, Bats

- Long, pointed wings (Similar in shape to a Peregrine Falcons)

- Secondary 'wings' for stability and lift (The fins beneath his wings)

- Phalange on wing for manueverability

- Long bodies, with relatively short legs; Can be between 25 and 30 feet long

- Large keel for more powerful wing muscles

- Large chest to hold larger lungs that let them fly higher, and large airsacs

- Wings connected to forelimbs; Powerful shoulder and leg muscles to allow for taking off from the ground

- Three foreward facing toes, and two backwards facing toes on hind legs for grabbing fish

- Retractable teeth

- Powerful neck muscles to hold head steady when diving, and to hold the head still when flying in place

- Tails fins for stability, balance, lift generation, steering and air braking

- Extended spine plates that split to relax the spine and allow for tighter turns

- Nocturnal

Scale color is dependent on the color of the sky when they are in their eggs, such as if the sky is cloudy for a majority of incubation the hatchling will be grey rather than black or blue.

Eats fish, whales, sharks, deer, yaks, and sheep

Light Fury Redesign - Albatross, Thresher Shark, Fishing Cats, Axolotls

- Long, narrow wings for active soaring (Shaped like an Albatross' wings, but a little bit longer to hold them up)

- Short, rounded 'secondary' wings for stability in long flights; Capable of folding flat against the body

- Longer ears for better echolocation

- Small wing muscles because they 'lock' their wings in place to fly

- Large chest for large lungs and airsacs so they can fly high

- Sealable nostrils for when they swim

- Stocky, muscular build with short, muscular legs; Can be between 20 to 24 feet long

- Partial webbing between toes for better swimming

- A long, sickle shaped tail fin with the upper part being longer; Whips prey to stun them, both in and out of water (Like a Threshers tail)

- Shark-like fins on the tail, in front of the fin to help them swim quicker

- Slightly hooks claws, and inwardly curved teeth for catching fish; Retractable teeth and slightlt retractable claws

- Wavy, short sail fin down the spine, starting behind the wings and ending just path the secondary 'wings' and on the forehead

- Opaque scales; Thinner, but when heated mirror surroundings for short periods

Scale color is dependant on the warmth of the egg during incubation, such as being warmer leads to having darker colored scales while being cooler leads to lighter colored scales

Mainly pescetarian, sometimes feed on sharks or whales

Light Furies and Night Furies are close enough relatives that they will gather in small Prides when they feel threatened or their is not enough territory. Surprisingly Stormcutters can often be seen in these 'Prides' as they are gentle giants, and fiercly defensive.

Grimmel is actively hunting down Night Furies, so they stay hidden, not joining any nests and continuing on the move.

Chief Hiccup and Astrid had three children together, before disappearing on a rescue mission with the other Dragon Riders.

Hakkon, Frigga, and Skathi Haddock were then raised by Valka, Stoick and Gobber. (Stoick having survived Toothless' plasma blast by sheer luck but lost all feeling and motion in his left arm.)

Calumn, Dagur and Mala's son was raised by Mala with the help of the Beserkers and the Defenders of the Wing.

Asgeir and Sindri, Snotlouts son and daughter respectively, were raised seperately. Sindri was raised by her mother, Mindin with the Wingmaidens while Asgeir was raised by his grandfather, Spitelout.

Bragi, Fishlegs and Heathers son, was raised by Mala as well, having been taken in when she realized that Stoick and Valka were raising the three Haddock children.

Alva and Anja, identical twin daughters of Ruffnut, were raised by their father, Eret Eretson on Berk.

Bard, Tuffnuts son was raised by his Uncle, since his mother was unknown.

Hakkon - Female Thunderdrum (Kólga)

Frigga - Male Deadly Nadder (Spear)

Skathi - Several

Calumn - Triple Stryke (Viper)

Asgeir - Monstrous Nightmare (Wildfire)

Sindri - Razorwhip (Belladonna)

Bragi - Thunderclaw (Stormlight)

Alva - Boneknapper (Graveyard)

Anja - Armorwing (Armory)

Bard - Hobblegrunt (Borealis)

TBC . . .

[artinandwritin]

I've been thinking about this and wanted to ask, what would you think if HTTYD did a prequel story? How would it be covered/what would you like to see covered?

Also, do you have anything on the gang's parents? Snotlouts mom, both of Astrid's parents, etc? How do they get along?

OOO I think a prequel would be really cool!! Personally I'd love for it to go into the movies' version of Hiccup I and Hiccup II since I loved how they were handled in the books, with ofc the possibility of it tying into Hiccup III. For me, the best format would be graphic novel form, maybe half a history book, certainly with those two characters. Keeps things a bit more mysterious.

If we can't have that, I think a prequel about Stoick and Valka would be fun too!! I heard in an interview with Dean Deblois he'd like to explore the concept of Valka's 20 years, idk if I would exactly want that or smt that would play out during the gang's parents' youths. It would be pretty interesting to see how the kids of that time were formed!

And I'd love a little prequel on Stoick and Gobber going to find the treasure of Hamish II. Y'know. For funsies lmao.

Hmmm I think I have a few things yeah!! Me and my friend Rose (spacenintendogs) did talk abt Snotlout's mom a few times and to me her name is Freda (like her counterpart in the books). Whenever I include Astrid's parents in smt I call them Ingrid and Bjorn, I think they're both pretty much some of the fiercest warriors of the tribe and that's partly where Astrid got her fierceness from. The other part she got from Fearless Finn, ofc, who I think is Astrid's dad's younger brother.

For the rest of the Gang's parents,,, not certain tbh!! Haven't given much thought to it yet. I think Fishlegs' mom would be really sweet, maybe a baker? She'd probably make some of the meals they all eat together in the Great Hall and she'd send Fishlegs and his friends food when they're on Dragons' Edge over terror mail. The twins' parents would probably be just as chaotic as their kids lmao. I think their dad is a traveler/trader so they'd spend most time with their mom (seeing as she's mentioned more often). Half of me thinks the twins' parents aren't even married since the Thorstons are said to "not be the marrying type", which would be a pretty fun interpretation!!

I think the parents' generation would get along pretty okay. A little headcanon i have is that Astrid's mom and Fishlegs' mom would be besties, seeing how Astrid and Fishlegs kinda pull together a bit more naturally. Next to that, I think Astrid's parents might hold some annoyance to the Thorstons and that kinda reflected into Astrid herself. I think Snotlout's mom probably keeps to herself more and would keep herself busy with raising her kids (Adelaide you're canon to me) and sewing.

So yeah!!! Not a lot but it's something haha. Ty so much for asking!!! I loved thinking abt this. What do you have on this topic? I'd love to know your headcanons!! :D

[dragonmasterhiccup]

(Thank you! 😊)

Melodía smiles brightly, very proud of herself for impressing him. “Thank you…”

“Oh, yeah I’d love that!” She nods excitedly, however when he mentions she has to wait, she sighs a little. “Yeah, okay.”

As he picks her up, the princess happily nuzzles into him, glad to just have him close for a moment. This whole sickness thing was making her more clingy than usual.

Complying, the former mermaid picks up the rest of her breakfast from earlier and begins munching on it.

By the time he comes back, she’s finished her food, giving him an adoring look. His fiancé gently takes his hand, kissing it.

“Thank you for taking such good care of me, Hiccup. You always know how to make me feel loved.”

(If you wanna wrap it up there, we can! Feel free to start the next part if you like!)

"Of course, how could I not?" He grinned at her.

---------------

It had been an eventful day to say the least.

After rushing off to get away for a bit, due to his father really beginning to hammer the fact that Hiccup would soon be chief, he had been abducted off of Toothless, separated from him and Melodía as the young Viking was carried off.

It wasn't long before he learned his abductor was his mother.

After that sunk in, she showed him where she's been for the past twenty years. He was reunited with Toothless, but he was relieved to see Melodía pop up in a pool of water.

The two women were shocked to learn of the other, but they both took it in stride.

Now, they were eating in her cave, Stoick and Gobber having joined them after Skullcrusher tracked Hiccup's whereabouts.

Hiccup never thought he'd see his parents together, having believed his mother to be dead. But the sight made him unbelievably happy.

Sharing a plate of cooked fish with Melodía, they say to the side as his parents and Gobber chatted.

All was well, until the mountain shook.

"What was that?"

Valka, without saying a word rushed outside, Stoick trailing behind. Hiccup took his fiance's hand and followed, Gobber the last to investigate.

They were under attack.

"We protect the dragons," Valka commanded, "and protect the alpha. We must hurry."

"Toothless!" Hiccup hopped onto the Night Fury's back, hand extended for Melodía to climb on. "Let's slow them down!"

[piareia]

The Fire Tides Chapter 2: Flaming the Fractures

I know Richard stated that Astrid narrates the story at the beginning instead of Hiccup and I fell in love with their choice to do that. But I found it hard for me to switch between the two in one chapter, especially since I can’t exactly 'write' the cover page of the comic ‘This is my story’ with Astrid’s face. That’s why I’ve decided to just stick to Hiccup for this chapter - everything else pretty much follows the plot. This chapter is more of a light-hearted one, tried to lighten things up after the last chapter.

“This is Berk. It storms twice a month and rains the other three. We don’t get much sun this time of the year but we often like to think of rain as a blessing from Thor himself - almost as if he’s gifting us with the growth of our farms! Especially since we’ve been working so hard to rebuild the island. I mean, with the help of all of our dragons of course.”

“Hey Hiccup, who are you talking to?” Tuffnut looked at him doe-eyed, stroking a grown-up Chicklet with a raised eyebrow.

“To the new people living here, Tuff! That’s twice you’ve interrupted me with that same question.” Hiccup let out a defeated sigh.  

“Yes, I did! I did interrupt you! But have you ever thought about customer service? Hiccup, my frail, ailing leader, you have so much yet to learn. The Berk tours are proficiently done yes, but questions are an everlasting part of the human mind. We must embrace our inner thoughts, our inner feelings, our-”

“Moving on!” Hiccup soared past him, signalling the new villagers to keep walking and new dragons to keep flying, “As you can see, more homes are being rebuilt. We figured its best to keep them up high, especially as it will suit the new dragons too. That’s why I’ve requested more wooden stilts for the foundations.”

“Oh! And feeding stations are being multiplied. As well as the shower pulleys!” Hiccup smiled at Astrid as he watched her hammer the scrap metal into place.

So much had happened since Drago, it was hard to believe that they were able to reestablish themselves in such a short amount of time. Things were still in construction, things still needed to be cleaned up (the twins really didn’t understand Hiccup’s ‘no’ to digging another boar pit!) but so far, with the amount of effort everyone was putting in, everything was going according to Hiccup’s plan.

He gazed at his father’s statue. It rained a little just an hour ago, so the sentinel looked shiny and glazed, almost as if it had been polished by the gods above. The legacy of his father was too masterful for anyone to even come remotely close and this giant structure reminded everyone, old and new, of one thing: there will never be another chief like Stoick the Vast. Hiccup sighed, slowly getting lost in thought.

“Ahem.”

His eyes fluttered and he looked to the left to see Eret and Skullcrusher.

“Hate to break the tour, Chief,” he scratched Skullcrusher’s head, “But we have a meeting to go to?”

“Oh, right.” Hiccup suddenly remembered and laughed, “Yep, with all the design plans, the new additions, the training schemes - that meeting flew right out of my head!”

“Well that’s why I’m here, Chief!” Eret remarked with a playful tone.

Hiccup gave an apologetic look to the new villagers and their dragons, “Sorry guys but the tour will have to end here. Please feel free to have a look around and get used to the place.”

By noon, Hiccup, Valka and the riders were all boarded on the Foreverwing – he decided to leave Gobber in charge, since he helped create majority of the design plans and knew them off by heart. Seeing as all of the trees and foliage made it difficult for them to have a full distinct view of what was in front of them, they all stood close to the Foreverwing’s head in order to keep a good eye on any incoming dangers.

Impatiently, Snotlout started stamping his feet, “Oi! You overgrown bird’s nest! If you don’t start to move in the next minute, I will cut off as many of these trees and use your brain as a drum for me to -”

The Foreverwing grunted and lazily nudged Snotlout’s body upwards, sending him flying to the very trees he wished to threaten him with.

“Aargh!”

Hiccup clutched onto Astrid’s hand as the Foreverwing began to move. The two stood in front of the sun in a close embrace, closing their eyes to the warmth of the soft rays and the occasional drifts of the calm breeze. However, he didn’t know whether the Foreverwing took a harsh jostle or nearly fell asleep again, but somehow, her hand slipped out of his.

“Seems like the gods are reassessing whether you should be with me!” Hiccup chuckled, grabbing hold of her waist tightly.

“Oh really? Well, I’d have to say it’s the other way around.” Astrid laughed as she played with Hiccup’s hands.

“You always have to one up me, don’t you?”

“I guess it’s only fair since you’ve one upped me too many times in the past!” she smirked, giving him a quick consoling peck on the cheek as they gazed at the floating clouds.

And that's Chapter 2 done! Hope you guys enjoyed it, a very huge contrast between this and the last chapter I know! Tried to include some foreshadowing about the overpopulation issue and Hiccup and Astrid getting separated after the maelstrom. Currently working on Chapter 3 (the meeting between the chiefs), so be prepared for the reunion between Hiccup and Dagur/ Eret and his Father/ Fishlegs and Heather hehe! :)

[dragoneyes618]

Thoughts and Reactions Upon Watching How to Train Your Dragon 1 with my cousin for the very first time - Part 2

I had to make a separate post because turns out Tumblr posts have a word limit! Part one can be found here.

Me: Wait, Toothless had just been restrained for who knows how long and almost drowned. How is he able to fly with Hiccup right away? Shouldn't he need to rest at least for a second or two?

Me: And now Stoick wants to make sure Hiccup knows he loves him and is proud of him before he goes flying off, because he fully expects that either of them or both of them might die!

My cousin: So remember "not so flammable on the inside?"

My cousin: Also weren't you saying that in the first book the giant dragon died because its own fire exploded inside of it or something?

Me: OH!

My cousin: See, all Toothless was waiting for was an apology, like with Astrid. He knew Hiccup and Toothless were fighting. Now that Stoick apologized he gave him his son back.

Me: Oh, wow!

Me: WHAT DID GOBBER MEAN MOST OF HIM?!

Me: Oh.

My cousin: Look, it's not a simple peg leg like Gobber has. It's more technologically advanced, it has metal. It's very Hiccupy.

Me: They knew what he would like!

Me: The dragons are here and living at peace! This is just what Hiccup imagined when he befriended Toothless! Wasn't that a bit fast? They trust each other already? How long has it been?

My cousin: I don't know but look, they turned that tower into a dragon nest.

Me: Cool!

Me: The people here are tough and tasteless? HA!

Me: Oh, that's beautiful! They fly!

And this was basically what happened when we watched HTTYD.

We started on the second movie the next day, but we're only about halfway through it. We'd just finished Valka's flashback of when she was taken when my cousin had to leave. Watching the second one was just as fun as the first one, so far, and it's been quite and adventure!

(Me: "So these other people know that dragons aren't just beasts? Why are they trapping them? Who is this creepy Drago guy? Does Ruffnut have a crush on this Eret guy? Snotlout's really desperate to get a date, isn't he? Hiccup's making the same mistake his father did - he's rushing off to face the unknown without finding out about it from the one who was actually there! His mother's alive?! She's been here this whole time? Wait! This puts a whole new spin on Stoick's anger when Hiccup tried to convince everybody that dragons weren't dangerous!")

But that's what we're up to, and we won't be able to finish watching it together until the next time we see each other, which will be....whenever that is.

I asked my cousin, "If I have the chance to watch the rest of the movie myself, would you want me to do that so we can talk about it? Or would you want me to wait so you can watch me watch it?" Because as you may have gathered watching me watch a movie is rather entertaining in and of itself.

And she was like, "Both!"

So, I am under strict orders not to spoil anything beyond what we've watched. This will make being in the fandom difficult; I don't want to spoil anything for myself but sometimes just the summaries of fanfictions will reveal things. But I'll do my best!

Except that I've already accidentally spoiled one or two things for myself online what do you mean Stoick dies

[dragondevinity]

Immortal Hiccup pt 7/8/9

Chapter seven

We start off with Tuffnut walking up to hiccup, “Hey hiccy, so when yah gonna tell the village about you and toothless” Tuffnut stated casually surprising Hiccup, “W-what do you mean” Hiccup stated attempting to act innocently, “C’mon me and my sister know about you two being mates, I mean you aren’t very good at hiding it, I mean you’re not as subtle as you’re attempting to act” Tuffnut said matter of factly, “fine you caught me, but please don’t say anything to the village, I plan on telling them soon” Hiccup pleaded to Tuffnut, “I wasn’t going to tell the village, neither was my sister, also your other secret is safe as well” he stated calmly.

“Wait what other secret???” Hiccup said startled, “the whole you being immortal and knowing how to speak to dragons thing, also the speaking to dragons thing was known by the whole village already” Tuffnut stated just as calmly as before, “so why did no one ask me if I actually knew how to-, anyway back to the topic, y-ou knew I was immortal? Since when and how??” Hiccup spluttered exasperated, “I mean talking to dragons was easy to find out for everyone in the village, and to answer about how me and my sister knew about you being immortal, we heard you talking to Toothless about it but we kept out mouths shut” Tuffnut explained, “Thank you and Ruffnut for keeping it a secret Tuffnut” Hiccup Stated, to which Tuffnut smiled and nodded.

Sorry for the short chapter but I’ll make the next at least the normal amount of words I do!! Have a lovely day and I hope you enjoyed!!!!

————————————————————————

Chapter 8

It was a lovely day on the island of Berk, you could see two dragons flying over that nearly had been forgotten, Hiccups sister and Heather were back…

“The Daughter of the Chiefs home!!” Gobber announced loudly, people gathered starting to ask questions about her and Heathers adventures beyond the waters of the archipelago.

“My goodness what Happened since I left 6 months ago???” Hiccups sister stated to Gobber, Hiccup and Stoick, “so about that…” Hiccup says slightly scared.

After explaining what exactly happened to Berk, and how Toothless became the alpha of the dragons, she was utterly stunned, “Lilith, sister are you…. ok?” Hiccup stated concerned due to her being stunned for over 5 minutes, “Wait, Moms back?????” She stated going from stunned to happy in and instant, “My girl is all grown up, I’m so proud” Valka stated with warmth in her heart for her child while embracing her crying, “I’m so happy you’re back mom, me and Hiccup missed you so much!!” Lilith said crying happily, “and I missed you both just as much my children” Valka said still embracing Lilith while waving Hiccup to come join there little hug pile, which he gladly did and then Stoick joined soon after. The Family is back together.

“So did Hiccup finally start dating Toothless and tell everyone he was Immortal...?”

To be continued…

Have a lovely day!!!

————————————————————————

Chapter 9

“W-what?!?!” Hiccup questioned, “ok so to the first question yes, but no one besides Stoick, me, Gobber or the dragons knew… and to the second question the answer is no one except me and Toothless were told” Valka said slightly panicked, this instantly clicked into everyone’s minds, it made sense that Hiccup was immortal somehow, no one questioned that in the slightest, but dating Toothless, there was only one thing to be said… “Hiccup why didn’t you tell us you and Toothless got together???” Astrid asked furiously, Hiccup began backing up while spluttering nonsense excuses, then he ran, this caused everyone to laugh at the sight of him being chased by Astrid across the village.

“Well it’s about time, I swear I thought they would never confess, I’m glad they finally did” Lilith said getting nods from Stoick, Valka and Gobber.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I’ll most likely start into the third movie next chapter, have a lovely day bye!!

[howtodrawyourdragon]

So a post that I saw an hour ago about the heights of the Riders made me want to re-check the Dreamworks website because I know the Riders' heights and some of them in that post were not correct.

So I checked, knowing that Ruffnut is 5ft10 because she's the second tallest Dragon Rider before Eret joins to make her third tallest. (She's the first one I checked)

So I checked, her little info tab, which does say 5ft9 now.

Except look at the pic next to her.

The infograph says she's 5ft10, just like her page used to say years ago before THW. Because that's Ruffnut on the left and Tuffnut on the right. Tuffnut, who was mentioned to be 5ft9 before Dreamworks took this part of the website down around the third movie's release.

I'd check Tuffnut's page, but I just get

Just like with:

Astrid

Fishlegs

Stoick

Valka

Gobber

Eret

Dagur

Ryker

Drago

Heather

If other people have better luck getting on their pages, please tell me what they say.

Anyway, Snotlout's page used to say 5ft6 instead of 5ft3, (I know, because I kept thinking he was 5ft3 and checking several times only to be reminded that he's 5ft6.) just like his infograph.

Really side-eyeing Dreamworks for getting their own info wrong. Why bother putting this website back online when they could've just left it alone in the first place?

I really shouldn't be this annoyed, but I am. I did not drill those heights and ages into my head just for them to gaslight me into thinking differently.

Really should've screenshotted those pages when I had the chance.

Anyway, here's what the site said way back when:

Heights in Httyd 2:

Stoick: 6ft9

Eret: 6ft4

Valka: 6ft3

Hiccup: 6ft1

Ruffnut: 5ft10

Tuffnut, Astrid, Fishlegs: 5ft9

Snotlout: 5ft6

No heights stated: Gobber

Ages in Httyd 2:

Gobber: 60

Stoick: 50

Valka: 40

Hiccup, Astrid, Snotlout: 20

Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Fishlegs: 19

Dreamworks is back to confirming that Toothless is Hiccup's soulmate.

[justgotawesome]

So here they are, some brand new Snoggletog icons/avatars! Hadn’t made any new ones since 2016 so it was about time. Despite being kind of simple I think they turned out really great, and I had a lot of fun putting them together. Hope you like them too!

Feel free to use any one you like (that’s what they’re for!), and if you want one in a different color or even with different things please let me know and I’d be happy to alter it for you :D

[piratespencil]

Memories of a Pyre - Chapter 3

Rating: Teen and Up

Relationships: Gobber/Stoick, Stoick/Valka, Gobber & Valka

“It’s good to have you back, Valka,” Gobber said, his voice low and scratchy, from the laughter and from the threat of tears.

“It’s good to be back,” Valka said. “Despite everything, it is. I only wish it could have been the three of us, together, for just a little longer.”

Gobber and Valka reconnect, through shared grief and shared memories.

Read it on AO3

(Part three! With even more Alvin and Stoick backstory, because there’s just so much potential there...)

[chiefhiccstrid]

Moira | Chapter 3

A Princess Diaries AU. 

Summary: Hiccup Haddock always thought he knew where his life was heading. That was until his father showed up after twenty-one years to tell him he is the heir to the small country of Berk. And figuring out how to be a prince is hard enough without having to deal with the developing feelings he has for Lady Astrid Hofferson, who is also trying to steal the throne out from under him.

A/N: Chapter 3 is done! Finally! It took a lot longer than I expected and is also a lot longer than I thought it was going to be. This chapter has a mix of silly and serious, but NEXT chapter is the one you and I have been waiting for. I really hope you all are enjoying this so far because I’m starting to think I’m doing a horrible job on it, but I promise it’s about to get much better. Hope you all enjoy chapter 3! 

Also, thanks to @drchee5e for helping me get through this. I got stuck some and she helped me brainstorm and push through! So thankful to be collaborating on this with you. You all should check out her fics as well cause she is crazy talented. 

Previous Chapter | (Just finding out about this fic? Read Chapter 1 here.)

Read on AO3

Chapter 3 - Into the Great Beyond

When Hiccup walked into his father’s place that afternoon, he was happy. He was in a good mood not because he was having to sit through another boring lesson, but because he had just taken his fundamentals of engineering exam and he felt good about it. It was also his very last exam and now all he had to do was wait for final grades and walk across that stage.

He decided to ignore the other thing he had to do for the time being, which was making the decision on whether to be Prince of Berk or not.

He expected his father to have another ridiculous lesson planned, so he was surprised when he walked in and was greeted by a man and woman who were both wearing the same stylish black outfits that hung all the way to the ground.

The blonde woman immediately started touching his cheeks and the red-headed man began pulling at the ends of his hair, “What’s going on?” Hiccup asked, frozen in his spot in the middle of the grand entryway.

Gobber and Stoick walked in and chuckled at the frightened look on the boy's face, “This is Mala and Throk, two of the best stylists back on Berk.”

Throk stuck out his hand, “Nice to meet you, Henry Haddock,” Hiccup took the man’s hand, nodded his head in greeting, and turned back to his father.

“Stylists?” the king’s son asked.

“A prince’s look is one of the most important parts. Even if you aren’t able to act the part that well, if you look the part then people will forgive you for a lot of things,” his father explained while stroking his long red beard.

“There is a very cute face underneath the bushy eyebrows and oversized hair,” Mala spoke.

“Oversized hair?” Hiccup touched his auburn locks and scrunched his supposedly very hairy eyebrows in thought. He didn’t think his hair was oversized.

“Henry Haddock, follow me,” Mala grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the back of the home where she sat him down in a swivel seat that you’d see in a hair salon. They quickly snapped two photos of him and then Throk pulled out a notepad.

Hiccup was a little frightened because these two people that were about to get close to him with scissors seemed to take their job very seriously. He was scared that he was going to end up looking like something out of one of the Star Wars films.

Mala walked around him and then placed her hands on his face, pulling at his skin in a way it should not be pulled, “Complexion is good, freckles are cute. Eyebrows need major trimming,” Mala picked up one of his hands and inspected his dirty fingernails, “You also need a manicure.”

Hiccup’s eyes widened at the word manicure. She was not coming near his fingernails with a color of any kind, “No manicure. Absolutely not.”

Mala ignored him, but Throk answered, “By manicure, she just means cutting and cleaning them, sir.”

“As long as you don’t plan on coming near my fingers with some ridiculous color. And don’t call me sir. Henry or Hiccup will do just fine.”

Throk looked confused at the last name he mentioned, “Hiccup?”

“It’s a nickname I’ve had for years…” Hiccup was about to explain the story behind it when Mala cut him off.

“Work now. Talk later. We have to shave this scruff. This nice chiseled jawline should not be hidden behind hair of any kind. And speaking of hair, we have to cut this,” she ran her hands through his hair and grabbed a chunk of it between her fingers. Throk was scribbling all of it down quickly.

“Ouch…” Hiccup winced when she tugged a little too hard.

Gobber walked in then and sat in one of the other chairs in the room. Hiccup looked at him curiously, “I wasn’t about to miss this.”

“I’m glad you find this amusing,” Hiccup rolled his eyes. “Are you really going to let them cut my hair? I’m actually quite fond of it.”

Throk let out a loud guffaw, “You like this mess?” Hiccup ignored him.

“Sorry, lad. My hands are tied,” Gobber chuckled.

Hiccup was about to share an unkind thought with his father’s assistant when Mala pulled his glasses off his face, “Henry Haddock, do you own contacts?”

“Well...yeah, I do, but I don’t like to wear -” Hiccup started, but his sentence was cut short when Mala snapped his glasses in half and dropped them in the trash can beside her.

“Now you have to wear them,” Mala said and spun his chair away from the mirror so he could no longer see his reflection. It didn’t matter though because everything was blurry now.

“I can’t believe you broke my glasses.”

“I can’t believe you’d hide those beautiful green eyes behind them,” Mala said.

Throk began combing his hair while Mala began plucking his eyebrows. Hiccup would flinch every time he felt a hair pull free from his skin and it left a horrible burning sensation behind.

It took the rest of the afternoon for the stylists to work their magic, he had heard Throk say at one point.

When Stoick walked into the room, the stylists had two of the photos they took earlier placed in front of his face.

“Sir, this is what your son looked like before, just an ordinary boy. Now, I give you...a prince,” the two removed the photos to reveal a clean shaven and newly trimmed Hiccup. Stoick nodded in approvement and Gobber’s mouth hung open.

Hiccup had yet to see this new look and hoped he still looked at least somewhat the same. When Mala and Throk walked over to the king is when Hiccup took the chance to swivel his chair around and take a look in the mirror.

He didn’t think he looked horrible. In fact, he actually thought he looked good. His hair had been trimmed enough so that it no longer hung over his eyes or made his head look bigger than it was, but it was still on the longer side. His eyebrows were no longer bushy and the green in his eyes was now more noticeable. His clean-shaven face made him look younger. And his nails weren’t covered in a ridiculous color.

It wasn’t a drastic change, but it was enough for someone who knew him well to notice.

“You two did a great job. Thank you,” his father shook both of their hands. They walked out of the room looking proud of their accomplishment.

His father strolled over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, “You like it?”

“It’s actually not that bad,” Hiccup admitted and stood up from the chair causing his father’s hand to fall off his shoulder.

“I had Eret put a box in the car that is filled with new clothes. Nice button up shirts, nice pants, some new shoes, and a couple of suits,” Stoick explained.

“So, you’re dressing me now?” Hiccup asked his father.

“Henry, you cannot wear what you are wearing now out in public. It’s fine when you’re just around the home, but it is not acceptable in public,” Stoick gestured to his wrinkly graphic t-shirt, jeans with a hole over the knee, and his muddy Converse. It was all he ever wore. “If you decide to come back to Berk with me, everyone will know who you are and as ridiculous as it is, a lot of people focus on what we’re wearing.”

Hiccup let out a long sigh, “Is there anything about me that you do like?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m saying, you’ve changed everything about me. How I stand, how I walk, how I eat, how I look, and now how I dress. Is there anything you wouldn’t change?”

Stoick stood there staring at his son who was waiting for an answer, but Stoick couldn’t think of one. The king wasn’t sure if he didn’t have an answer because he was taken by surprise with his son’s question or if it was because even after three weeks, he still didn’t know his son at all.

The silence was Hiccup’s answer, “Thought so,” he said and walked past his frozen father.

Hiccup wasn’t mad, he was...disappointed. He walked past Gobber who looked up from the papers in front of him, “Leaving so soon?”

Hiccup didn’t slow down, “Yeah, Gobber. I have to get out of here,” he walked out the front door and when it shut behind him he finished what he was saying even though Gobber could no longer hear him, “I have a lot to think about.”

Stoick watched the door shut, “There’s no way he’ll agree to be the prince after that,” he placed his fingers on the bridge of his nose. He felt a headache coming on and closed his eyes.

The Kings assistant walked towards him, “May I say something?”

Stoick opened one eye to glare at his friend, “You’re going to say it anyway, so why ask for permission?”

“Good point. You have to stop focusing on Henry the Prince so much and focus on your son. You have this chance to finally be a father and you’re spending all your time worrying about whether or not he’s going to be a good prince or if he will even decide to be one at all,” Gobber placed his hand on the kings shoulder, “So, just for once put that all aside and be the boy’s father.”

***

When Eret pulled up the driveway to the ranch, Hiccup noticed a familiar car in the driveway and even though his vision was blurry he could still tell who was standing next to it. Fishlegs. His childhood friend.

“Where would you like me to put the box?” Eret asked after he parked the car.

Hiccup already had the door open, “Just put it on the porch. I’ll get it.”

“It’s pretty heavy,” Eret commented.

“I’m stronger than I look,” Hiccup tried puffing his chest out, but it did no good.

Eret tried to hide his smile but nodded and did as he was told anyway.

Hiccup walked up to his friend who was leaning against his car, “Hey,” he extended his hand, ready to perform their secret handshake, but Fishlegs just stared at it with his arms crossed.

“Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in three weeks. And I just thought you were busy with finals like the rest of us, but then when you didn’t show up at our usual post-finals celebration spot I knew something else was up,” Fishlegs explained.

“My dad’s in town,” Hiccup reminded him.

“I can tell you’re hiding something else from me,” his stocky friend narrowed his eyes at him.

“Let’s talk inside, okay?” Hiccup began walking to the front door and Fishlegs followed him. The boys stepped over the box of clothes, not even bothering to carry it inside.

Valka was in the kitchen washing dishes and she smiled at the two friends, “Hello, Fishlegs.”

“Hi, Ms. Haddock,” he greeted.

Valka put the dishes down and looked at her son, something was different, “I’m guessing Mala and Throk got ahold of you?”

Hiccup paused in the kitchen, “You know them?”

“I met them once before. They are very interesting people.”

Hiccup nodded in agreement.

“You look good,” Valka smiled gently at her son.

“Thanks,” he returned the smile.

Things were finally getting back to normal between Hiccup and his mother. He could never really stay mad at his mother for too long. She was the one person he loved most in the world and after a couple of days of the silent treatment, he missed her. The two apologized to one another and the tension in the home was finally gone.

Fishlegs walked in front of his skinny friend and looked at him closely, “I knew something about you looked different.”

His stocky friend scrunched his nose, a thing he did when he wasn’t too fond of something,  “What are you thinking?” Hiccup asked.

“I’m wondering what happened to my best friend. You know the one who used to laugh with me at the people who looked like you do now?”

“And how do I look?”

“Like someone who gets up early to comb their hair and put on cologne,” Fishlegs crossed his arms. One of his favorite things about Hiccup was that he didn’t care about what he looked like. He could roll out of bed and go anywhere sporting his messy bed head without a care in the world.

“And that’s a bad thing?” Hiccup asked.

“It’s not you.”

Hiccup looked into his friend's eyes for a moment before walking around him and towards his bedroom. Fishlegs followed his friend and shut the door behind him. Hiccup moved his rolls of blueprints off the chair so his friend would have a place to sit. Hiccup remained standing.

“My dad showed up three weeks ago,” Hiccup began.

“I knew that already.”

“Well, he came with some pretty unbelievable news…” Hiccup started, “And you can’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Who am I going to tell, Hiccup? You’re the only person I hang out with. Just spit it out already.”

“Right. Well, my father is the king of the country Berk. And since he’s the king, well...now I’m the next in line after he retires.”

“You’re kidding,” his friend said.

Hiccup shook his head.

“Shut up! Dude, this is so cool. Have you known about this your whole life? I can’t believe you haven’t told me about this. This is huge.”

“I didn't know. I knew nothing about it until my father showed up.”

“So, does this make you a prince?”

“It technically does, but I haven’t agreed to anything yet. That’s why I’ve been gone. My father has been giving me these prince lessons probably hoping I’ll fall in love with royal life and agree to it. But I have to decide by graduation if I’m going back with him or not. I have a lot to think about,” Hiccup explained and sat down on his bed.

“What is there to think about?”

“There’s so much. First, I would have to leave Melody and move to Berk. And then what about becoming an engineer? All my hard work would just be for nothing. I would have to leave my whole life behind,” Hiccup said.

“I seem to remember you telling me that the second you were given the chance to leave this small and boring town, you would do it. So, why is this any different? There’s nothing and no one tying you down here. So, here’s your chance,” Fishlegs reminded him.

His friend was right, there were so many times he would dream about leaving his hometown and traveling the world because this small and hot place never really felt like home to him.

“This is different. I feel like I’m being forced to do this by a man who wasn’t there for me in the first place. Why would I give up my whole life for him?” he asked both his friend and himself.

“You just told me they are leaving the choice up to you, so are you really being forced?” Fishlegs mentioned.

His friend also had a point there too, but a part of him still didn’t feel like giving his father the satisfaction of agreeing.

And then as if Fishlegs heard his friends thoughts, he said, “And if you won’t do it for your father then find something or someone else to do it for. Do it for yourself, maybe?”

Hiccup looked at his friend, “Elaborate?”

“I mean, you have this opportunity to get out of here and do something with your life that most people will only ever get to dream about.”

“But this isn't just a summer vacation, Fishlegs. This is my whole life we’re talking about here. I agree to this and my whole life is planned out for me,” Hiccup said.

“Your whole life is planned out for you here too,” Fishlegs reminded him and Hiccup looked at him questioningly, “You’re going to graduate, get a job, probably get married, have a kid or two, and then die.”

“Wow, you’re just a cup of cheer, aren’t you?” Hiccup added, sarcastically.

“I’m just telling you like I see it. You can either choose to stay here and get a job that will probably be boring to you in a year. Or you can agree to it and have a job that is not only going to be different and throw crazy challenges at you, but that also makes a difference in people’s lives at the same time.”

Fishlegs stood up and walked over to sit next to his friend on his bed, then placed his large hand on his small shoulder, “It’s the great beyond and it’s calling your name, Hiccup.” Fishlegs used his free hand to gesture to the world out in front of them.

Hiccup turned his head and smiled at his friend. He knew he was right and going into the great beyond made him excited, but there was still a part of him that didn’t want to do it. And maybe it was the fear of change that was holding him back or maybe it was the distaste he still felt for his father. Either way, those really were selfish reasons to not agree.

***

Hiccup was in the middle of his last lesson with his father when Gobber interrupted saying someone from Berk was on the phone asking about things for the ball next week. His father left to deal with the incompetence of his staff, as he muttered on his way out, which left him and his father’s assistant alone in the room.

“Excited about graduation tomorrow?” Gobber asked, breaking the awkward silence that was hanging over the both of them.

Hiccup shrugged, “I guess so.”

Gobber could see the uncertainty and stress written all over the boy’s face, “Still not sure what you’re gonna tell your father, huh?”

Hiccup took a deep breath before answering, “I keep making this pros and cons list in my head, but it’s not helping because I keep asking myself if I really will make a good prince. I’m no leader. I never have been. Just thinking about public speaking makes me hyperventilate.”

Gobber chuckled and Hiccup looked at him curiously, “Sorry, lad. I���m not laughing at you, but it’s funny because I remember having this exact conversation with your father when he was unsure about becoming king or not.”

This got Hiccup’s full attention, “He didn’t want to be king?”

“He knew if he decided to be king he would also have to give up a lot of other things he wanted to do.”

“What changed his mind?”

“I told him to stop thinking about himself so much and start thinking about others. The people of Berk needed him to become king and giving it up would’ve been selfish of him,” Gobber explained.

“Is that what you would tell me?” Hiccup asked, curiously.

Gobber shook his head, “One thing I already know about you is that you are not your father, which is why I won’t tell you the same thing that I told him all those years ago. I would tell you that if you won’t do it for your father, do it for someone else.”

Gobber was the second person to tell him that and Hiccup didn’t ignore that fact.

“Like your mother, do it for her,” Gobber finished.

Hiccup scrunched his eyebrows in confusion, “My mother? She hates all this stuff.”

“Well, I heard about your all’s financial troubles and how she was going to have to probably sell the ranch…” Gobber trailed off when he noticed the confusion upon Hiccup’s face.

“What?”

“I’m - I’m sorry, lad. I...I thought you knew,” Gobber apologized.

Hiccup felt many things in that moment.

Sadness. He was sad because he grew up on that ranch. It was where he rode Toothless for the first time. Where he chased a bunch of chickens in the fields when he was a child. It was where he lost his leg. It was where he went when he was upset and even when he was happy. It was where he spent most of his time.

Anger. He was mad because his mother didn’t tell him. She hid it from him. It was just another important thing that she lied about and hid from him.

Fear. He was scared because the ranch was all his mother had. What would she do now? Where would she go?

Then Stoick walked into the room and saw the look on his son’s and his assistant’s face, “What happened?”

Hiccup came out of his thoughts and back to reality, “Did you know about mom having to sell the ranch?” he asked his father who was still standing in the entryway.

Stoick nodded, “She called and told me yesterday.”

“Well? Are you going to help her? Help us?” Hiccup harshly asked his father.

“I offered. She wouldn’t let me. She’s stubborn, and she always has been,” the king answered.

Hiccup stood up from his chair, “I’m going home. I need to go home.”

Stoick was about to protest because he wasn’t done with his lesson yet, but he took one quick look over at Gobber and was reminded of their conversation from the other day. Stoick had to stop thinking of Hiccup as just another person who worked for him and start thinking of him as his son.

“Okay,” Stoick nodded, “Gobber, go get Eret.”

The short man got up quickly and called over his walkie-talkie, “Eret! Get the car ready,” before he hopped around the corner, leaving father and son alone in the large room.

Hiccup began to follow the direction Gobber went when his father placed a hand on his shoulder, “I tried to help her. I really did.”

Hiccup looked up at his father for a split second before brushing his large hand off his shoulder and walking out of the room. The king had been looked at that way once before, more than twenty years ago. Eyes full of heartbreak and betrayal staring back at him. It still hurt just as much as it did back then.

***

Hiccup walked into the front door. He spotted his mother sitting over a bunch of books at the dining room table. A glass of red wine sat next to her and her fingers were tangled in her hair.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Hiccup said. The quietness of the room made him sound a lot louder than he actually was.

Valka turned around quickly, startled by her son’s presence. She looked at the watch on her wrist, “Hiccup! I didn’t think you’d be home so soon.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were having money problems?” Hiccup asked again, his eyes narrowing at his mother.

“How did you….your father,” she sighed and looked down at her lap.

Hiccup clenched his fists, “How much more are you hiding from me, huh? You lie about who my father is, who I am, and now you hide something like this from me?” Valka stood up from her chair and walked towards her son, but Hiccup took a step back, “I thought we told each other everything, mom. I never kept anything from you. Not ever.”

“I know. I just thought I was protecting you.”

“I’m not a kid anymore.”

Valka nodded and looked down at her bare feet, not able to look her son in his eyes, but she could still feel him staring at her. It was burning a hole in the top of her head, “I know that….I’m sorry,” her voice cracked.

“So, it’s true? You’re having to sell the ranch?”

Valka nodded, not able to reply. Her throat was growing tighter by the second and she knew the second she spoke, the tears that prickled behind her eyes would begin to flow. She always tried to never cry in front of her son. She never wanted him to see her cry.

“What are you going to do?” Hiccup asked.

She shook her head but still remained silent.

“Why won’t you answer me?”

Valka looked at her son now, silent tears flowing down her cheeks.

Hiccup’s heart broke. He had only seen his mother cry once before and that was the day he woke up in the hospital. They were happy tears then. These tears, however, were full of pain, sorrow, and shame.

He closed the distance between them and pulled his mother into his arms, holding her close as the tears continued to spill over her cheeks.

“I’m going to fix this, mom,” Hiccup promised. “I won’t let anyone take this place away from you.”

Valka broke free of her son’s hold and looked up at him. She wiped away the tears that were still falling, “I can fix this. Don’t worry. I can fix it…” she kept repeating.

Hiccup shook his head, “Mom. You’ve done everything for me. You’ve always made sure I had what I needed. You were always there for me. Now, let me return the favor. Let me help you.”

Valka looked at her son, who now stood taller than her. He wasn’t the little boy that used to run through the forest looking for trolls anymore, he was all grown up. And she was so proud of him.

Her stubbornness and need to fix everything herself dissolved away the second she saw his determination, “What are you going to do?”

Hiccup took a deep breath. He knew exactly what he had to do.

***

Graduation was boring. God, was it boring. Hiccup sat in the small and uncomfortable chair in the midst of hundreds of other students he didn’t know watching them cross the stage and receive a piece of paper. A piece of paper that defined four years of hard work.

The second his name was called, however, Gobber blew one of those obnoxious noisemakers that drew all the attention to him. His father came too and he stood from his seat as his son walked across the stage and shook the president of Melody University's hand.

His mother wrapped in a large hug the second they all reunited after the ceremony, “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, mom.”

Gobber crushed the skinny boy into a hug that lifted him off the ground, “Gobber...can’t...breathe…”

The man laughed and set the boy down gently, “Sorry, lad. Did you hear me cheer for you?”

“Gobber, I’m pretty sure all of Melody, Georgia heard. The next county over probably heard you too,” he said and saw his father chuckle out of the corner of his eye.

“That was my plan,” Gobber looked very proud of his accomplishment.

Stoick walked over to him now and patted him on the back as gently as he could, but Hiccup already felt a bruise forming between his shoulder blades, “Proud of you, son.”

Hiccup smiled up at his large father, “Thanks.”

They all went back to Stoick’s place for drinks and a celebratory dinner. During dinner, Hiccup could feel his father’s eyes on him, making sure his dining etiquette was correct. He ignored his father though and tried to act like he couldn’t hear his father clearing his throat whenever he’d pick up the wrong spoon or slouched too much in his seat.

There was an awkward silence after dinner and everyone sat wondering the same thing, what was Hiccup’s answer going to be.

Gobber, as always, was the one to bring up the subject first, “So, what’s next for you, lad?”

Hiccup looked over at his father’s assistant, then his mother, and then finally made eye contact with his father, who for probably once in his life looked nervous.

Hiccup made his decision last night but had kept to himself until this very moment, “I’m going back to Berk with you,” Stoick breathed a sigh of relief, “But on one condition, Toothless comes with me.”

“Toothless? Your horse?” Stoick asked.

“Yes. My horse comes with me or the deal is off,” Hiccup crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair, enjoying the look of horror on his father’s face.

“And how in the hell do you expect me to get a horse all the way to Berk?” Stoick asked his stubborn son.

“That one’s on you,” Hiccup grinned mischievously and then turned to his mother, “Will you come with me?”

Valka reached across the table and held out her hand, Hiccup placed his hand in hers and she squeezed it gently, “I’m going to stay here. You know I can’t leave Cloudjumper and this is where I belong. This is home for me.”

Hiccup nodded and frowned, “Are you sure?”

Valka smiled, “I’m sure. I found where I belong and now it’s your turn.”

Hiccup nodded, understanding, “How many days until we leave?”

“We need to be on the plane in two days,” Stoick replied and then looked at his assistant, “So, you have two days to figure out to get a horse from here to Berk and I suggest you get started.”

Gobber’s eyes grew three sizes and he quickly stood up from the table, knocking his water glass over in the process, “I’ll get right on that,” the man looked at Hiccup and smiled, “I’m really glad you agreed to come back with us. You’re going to love Berk.”

Hiccup replied with a smile.

“Yes, thank you, son,” Stoick said and raised his glass.

“Oh, I’m not doing it for you,” Hiccup raised his glass in the air and then finished the last of the champagne in his glass.

[dragondingus]

‪72 of 365: Someone requested an older Astrid with a completely different hairstyle- so of course I wasted no time ;3;‬ (I just love messing with hairstyles y’all I can’t help it.. hair is fun.) [Sorry I keep changing their outfits tho- next week we’ll get back to canon looks, more dragos, and more of our other beloved characters, k?]